Note of meeting held via MS Teams on 19 January 2022 at 2pm

Chair

Councillor Davie Cullen

Members present

• Councillor Mark Horsham, Veterans Champion, South Lanarkshire Council
• Archie Aitken, Lead Officer for Veterans Issues, North Lanarkshire Council
• Catherine Johnstone and Pamela Prentice, North Lanarkshire Council
• Lynne Wyllie, Administration Assistant, South Lanarkshire Council
• Mark Spowart Department for Work and Pensions
• Shaun Cauvin, Veterans Scotland
• Emma Gration, Outreach Officer (Scotland) BLESMA
• Dr Sam Booth, Veterans First Point
• Heather Nicholson, Regular Forces Employment Association
• Scott Muir, SACRO
• Stuart Roberts, Office of the Lieutenancy
• Janette Smyth, Lanarkshire ASAP
• Danny Gemmell, Be-Inn Unity
• Colonel Ted Shields MBE, Chief Executive, Lowland Reserve Forces and Cadet Association
• Audrey Cuthbertson, Armed Services Advice Project (ASAP)
• Frank Caldwell and Kevin Goodwin, Welfare Managers, Veterans UK
• Eric Foy, Skills Development Scotland

Apologies

• Geraldine McCann, Lead Officer for Veterans Issues, South Lanarkshire
• David McAllister, SSAFA, the Armed Forces Charity
• June Weir, Skills Development Scotland
• Les Obre, Quality Improvement Officer, Education Resources, South Lanarkshire Council Craig Cunningham, Veterans Champion, NHS Lanarkshire
• Gavin Davey OBE, Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund
• Michele O’Brien, Combat Stress Scotland
• Ross Thomson, Poppyscotland David Cowin, Veterans Scotland
• Claire Sally, The Forces Employment Charity Claire Dymond, Enable
• Oliver Ryan, Job Centre Plus, Department for Work and Pensions Cat Leatherby, Operations Manager, Routes to Work
• Kenny Cumming, Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS)
• Barry Wylie, Department for Work and Pensions
• Dr Jennifer Ring, Veterans First Point
• Council Captain Andy Blair, MOD, C Company (6 SCOTS)
• Debbie Moretti, MOD
• Jane Menzies, Combat Stress Scotland    Dave Gibson, Fares4Free
• Col Tony Phillips, Deputy Commander, Brigade
• Brian Hendrie, Alcoholics Anonymous
• Tom Falconer, Health and Safety Officer, Education Resources, South Lanarkshire Council

Chair’s opening remarks

Councillor Cullen welcomed everyone to the meeting and intimated the sad passing of Veteran Ian Forsyth, MBE and requested that the condolences of the Group be passed to Mr. Forsyth’s family.
Outcome(s):  Position noted

Note of previous meeting

The note of the meeting of the Firm Base held on 29 September 2021 was submitted for approval as a correct record.
Outcome(s):  Minutes approved

Presentation – Be-Inn Unity

Danny Gemmell, gave a presentation on: -

• Be-Inn Unity’s vision and purpose in supporting Veterans.
• Training support available for local communities to raise awareness.
• The types of support initiatives available to provide support and opportunities for individuals.
• The work of ‘The Veteran ERV’ mental health peer support group to provide a virtual space for veterans to check in and connect with each other.

Mr. Gemmell, having responded to questions from the Group, was thanked for his informative presentation.

Outcome(s):       Presentation noted.

Lanarkshire Firm Base - Booklet

Councillor Cullen provided an update on the production of the Lanarkshire Firm Base Booklet and requested that any amendments or further information be provided to the Clerk by 31 January.

Councillor Horsham suggested that in order that hard copies could be printed and available in public libraries, leisure centres and GP Practices, the Group could make an application for funding via the Armed Forces Covenant Fund.

Shaun Cauvin highlighted that there was a drive to encourage all service leavers to register at their local GP and that it would be beneficial that copies of the booklet be available there.

Heather Nicholson asked for a copy of the link to the website to be issued and suggested that they may be able to provide information on their service provision and how Veterans can register with them.

Outcome(s): Arising from discussion, it was agreed that, upon receipt of any amendments or further information, the booklet would be revised and be available on the Lanarkshire Firm Base website, and that a hard copy be provided upon request.

Update on NLC re Commitment to AFC

Councillor Cullen provided an update on North Lanarkshire Council’s commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant and referred to the five-year plan initiated by the Council. He then referred to the progress across all related services within North Lanarkshire Council i.e., Housing, Social Care, Education and HR and the re-signing of the Armed Forces Convenant as part of the rememberance commeration in November 2021, which was attended by MOD Colonel Bob Stuart.

Councillor Horsham updated the Group that in SLC the Armed Forces Covenant had been resigned in 2017 and that he was grateful for the Lanarkshire partnerships and networks that were in existence for Veterans to assist with help and support. He also emphasised that the next step is to ensure that all the hard work and support continues to be available and accessible.

Platinum Jubilee

Councillor Cullen referred to Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee and requested that any members with any suggestions to commemorate or support events relating to the celebration provide these to Stuart Roberts.

Stuart Roberts advised that, dependent on any restrictions imposed by Covid-19, there was the potential of any events that could take place however, there was the potential for a Royal visit to take place.

Colonel Shields intimated that to commemorate the event 2,000 trees would be planted at Dechmont Training Area in Cambuslang.

Forthcoming Local Government Elections – 5 May 2022

Councillor Cullen referred to the forthcoming Local Government Elections scheduled to take place on Thursday, 5 May 2022 and in particular the Council governance arrangements in respect of appointments of the Veteran Champions. He intimated that it was doubtful for these appointments to be made prior to the next meeting of the Firm Base scheduled to take place on Wednesday, 25 May 2022. Thereon it was suggested that Shaun Cauvin be appointed to the position of chairperson for that meeting of the Lanarkshire Firm Base to take place.

Outcome(s): It was agreed that Shaun Cauvin, Veterans Scotland would chair the next scheduled meeting for the Lanarkshire Firm Base.

The Scottish Veterans Awards - Nominations

Councillor Cullen reminded the Group of the deadline for the nominations for the Scottish Veterans Awards and that any individual or organisation should submit their nomination through the appropriate link.

Outcome(s): Postion noted

AOCB

Both Councillor Cullen and Councillor Horsham, the joint chairs on the Group thanked the members of the Group for their support over the years.

Date of Next Meeting

The next meeting of the Group would be held on Wednesday 25 May 2022 at 2pm.

Outcome(s): Position noted.