surrey civilian-military partnership board agenda
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Surrey Civilian-Military Partnership Board
Agenda
JUBILEE COMMUNITY CENTRE, BILLESDEN ROAD, BROOKWOOD, GU24 0QQ
10.00 am, Thursday, 23 March 2017
Please note this meeting is held in private and is not open for the public to attend. The papers are published on the website for information only. Contact: Sarah Goodman, Community Partnerships Team, Surrey County Council, Tel 01483 518095 or email armedforces@surreycc.gov.uk
1 Welcome and Apologies Sally Marks
2
Minutes of the last meeting and matters arising (attached)
Armed Forces Employability Pathway
SCC Gold Employer Recognition – Publicity
Emergency Services
QinetiQ Conference
Cadets (attached)
Sally Marks
Peter Bruinvels
Sarah
Goodman
(Pages 1 - 10)
3 Presentation on the role of ATC (Pirbright) and the Welfare Unit
Major Carol Miller
(Verbal Report)
4 Welfare Issues Across Surrey Units and Bases Peter
Bruinvels/ Major Miller
(Verbal Report)
5
11 Brigade Update
11 Brigade Priorities
Army Refine 2020
11 Brigade Task Force Commanders and Armed Forces Champion Briefing - Implications for Surrey
Col Andy Barr
Sally Marks
(Verbal Report)
2
6
SCMPB Achievements and Update
Recognise and Remember Task Group o War Memorial Photograph Initiative
Community Integration Task Group
Successes 2016/17 (attached) o Surrey Armed Forces Covenant Conference
2016 o SCC Gold Employer Recognition Award o Case Studies (attached)
Draft 2017/18 Priorities (attached) o South East Cross Border Bid
National Covenant Conference
Armed Forces Covenant Fund
Brig Paul Evans
Michael Cannon
Peter
Bruinvels
James Painter
Sally M/ Peter B
Sarah
Goodman
(Pages 11 - 22)
7
Employer Engagement and Covenant Signings
OPCC and Surrey Police - Armed Forces Covenant Signing (attached)
Surrey Businesses being targeted (attached)
Exercise Hairspring
David Munro
Col Patrick Crowley Sarah
Goodman
(Pages 23 - 28)
8 Surrey Fire and Rescue update Steve Owen-Hughes
(Verbal Report)
9
AOB
Council Tax single occupier discount for spouses of personnel serving away from home
Sally Marks
All
(Verbal Report)
10
Date of next meeting 10am – 12pm on Wednesday 11 October 2017 (venue TBC)
All To note
Board Members
Mrs Sally Ann B Marks Chairman
Col Andrew Barr 11 Infantry Brigade
Canon Peter Bruinvels SCC Civilian Military Liaison Advisor
Michael Cannon Community Integration Task Group
Col Bob Crawley ssafa
Col Patrick Crowley SERFCA
Brigadier Paul Evans DL Recognise and Remember Task Group
Craig Spence Royal British Legion
Debbie Goldsmith Garrison Representative
3
Sarah Goodman Surrey County Council
Mr David Ivison County Councillor
Brigadier Phil Kimber 11 Infantry Brigade
Councillor John Kingsbury St Johns and Hook Heath
Mr Nick Skellett Vice Chairman of Surrey County Council
Major Carol Miller ATC Pirbright
Michael More-Molyneux Lord-Lieutenant
David Munro Surrey Police and Crime Commissioner
Rev Roland Olliff MA Guildford Diocese
Steve Owen-Hughes Surrey Fire and Rescue
James Painter Surrey County Council
Louise Punter Surrey Chambers of Commerce
Yvonne Rees Surrey County Council
Karen Simmonds Public Health, SCC
Phil Small 11 Infantry Brigade
Karen Webster 11 Infantry Brigade
Karen Whelan Surrey Heath Borough Council
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SURREY CIVILIAN-MILITARY PARTNERSHIP BOARD Minutes of the meeting held on 6 October 2016, Keogh Barracks, Ash Vale, GU12 5RQ. Present: Mrs Sally Ann B Marks Chairman Canon Peter Bruinvels SCC Civilian Military Liaison Advisor Michael Cannon Community Integration Task Group Col Bob Crawley ssafa Brigadier Paul Evans DL Recognise and Remember Task Group Debbie Goldsmith Garrison Representative Sarah Goodman Surrey County Council Mr David Ivison County Councillor Councillor John Kingsbury St Johns and Hook Heath Mrs Sally Ann B Marks Chairman Michael More-Molyneux Lord-Lieutenant David Munro Surrey Police and Crime Commissioner Rev Roland Olliff MA Guildford Diocese Steve Owen-Hughes Surrey Fire and Rescue James Painter Surrey County Council Yvonne Rees Surrey County Council Karen Simmonds Major Jodie Kennedy-Smith Phil Small
Public Health, SCC 11 Infantry Brigade 11 Infantry Brigade
Karen Webster 11 Infantry Brigade Apologies: Col Andrew Barr 11 Infantry Brigade Col Patrick Crowley SERFCA Sandra Fruish Royal British Legion Major Carol Miller ATC Pirbright Louise Punter Surrey Chambers of Commerce Karen Whelan Surrey Heath Borough Council ______________________________________________________________
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Item 2
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1 WELCOME AND APOLOGIES [Item 1] Apologies were received from Col Andy Barr (Phil Small representing), Col Patrick Crowley (Stephanie Russell representing), Sandra Fruish (David Plattern representing) and Karen Whelan. The Chairman welcomed two Armed Forces Champions whose boroughs are linked to 4 Armd Med Regt – Cllr Patrick Cannon and Cllr Roger Newstead. In addition two members of the Community Partnerships Team were observing the meeting.
2 PRESENTATION ON ROLE OF 4 ARMOURED MEDICAL REGIMENT AND 22 FIELD HOSPITAL [Item 2] Major Stuart Young from 4 Armoured Medical Regiment and Major Matt Nowak from 22 Field Hospital gave an excellent presentation on the role of both Regiments which operate out of Keogh Barracks. Following the presentation and an opportunity for questions, the Chairman thanked both Majors very much for their presentation and for hosting the meeting.
3 MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING AND MATTERS ARISING [Item 3] Item 3 – the successes paper was widely circulated and is on the website https://www.surreycc.gov.uk/people-and-community/advice-guidance-and-support/armed-forces/surrey-civillian-military-partnership-board The Priorities discussed at the last meeting have been updated to include a section on veterans as attached in the agenda papers. Regarding successful Covenant Grants, it was noted that the Vulnerable Veterans project had received a further six months funding from the Police and Crime Commissioner to continue the good work, and the ‘Time to Remember’ event held in Farnham to remember the first ever two minutes silence 100 years ago on 1 May 2016 was a huge success. Other items have either been completed or were covered within an agenda item.
4 11 BRIGADE UPDATE [Item 4] Phil Small gave an update to the Board on 11 Brigade activities. The training year is almost complete and 2017 will be a deployable year if required. Civil Engagement planning for the next year is in progress and will build on the Ink Spot work of this year. Task Force Commanders (TFCs) received a briefing at a Symposium held on 6 September on key priorities for the Civil Engagement work for the next 12 months and their outputs are being ranked to encourage more participation. It was announced that Canon Peter Bruinvels had been appointed as Armed Forces Champion for 11 Brigade by Brigadier Kimber. The Future Accommodation Model is in its early stages – the aim is to improve the accommodation offer for the Army whilst reducing costs. The
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aspiration is to encourage more private rental and purchasing now some Army units are more stable in a location. Serving personnel and Families Federations are being surveyed, however it was noted that it is unlikely there will be a huge impact in Surrey. The Armed Forces Employability Pathway programme which looks to support young people into employment has been successful in its pilots and the Brigade is planning to extend for 2017. It was agreed that the Community Partnerships Team would speak to Lt-Col Graeme MacPherson to see if it would be possible to run a course in Surrey: Action: SG/PB to talk to GMcP The Brigade organised a Commonwealth Soldier Battlefield tour with Service personnel and community leaders with attendees from Muslim, Hindu and Seek faiths. The event was hugely successful and resulted in a deeper understanding of issues and a deepened relationship. The Brigade has organised a conference for county and unitary authorities in the South East on 1 November. Board members were disappointed that this event was not open to district and borough councils to attend, and KW agreed to feed this back to Col Barr. The next countywide meeting for Armed Forces Champions and Task Force Commanders was due to be held on 1 December, and outcomes from the Brigade event would be highlighted there.
5 SCMPB ACHIEVEMENTS [Item 5] Recognise and Remember Task Group Update The last meeting was held at DMRC Headley Court and it was confirmed that the relocation in 2018 was final. The group is discussing whether it would be appropriate for Headley to receive a Royal title. There will be an event on 29 September 2017 to celebrate all that Headley Court has achieved before the move north starting with a church service at St Martin’s followed by a Freedom March through Dorking High Street. The group has been working closely with all Armed Forces Champions on the documenting of War Memorials in Surrey. This work is going very well. Steve Owen-Hughes noted that the Fire Brigade has done up the sports pavilion and erected a small memorial. They have researched 100 people whose names are on the memorial who also served in Surrey Fire and Rescue Service – 50 of these served in WW1 and the other 50 in WW2. It was suggested that Steve link in with Barrie Higham, Surrey History Centre. Action: SO-H to contact Barrie Higham One issue the group is keen to help address is ensuring there is a strong connection between Armed Forces Champions and Task Force Commanders with the constant churn from both sides. A lot of activity was reported during Armed Forces week including Choral Mattins, Flag Raising, event at Lingfield, Military vehicles at Loseley Park and an event hosted by SERFCA on the Battle of the Somme at Surrey Sports Park. The group will consider key priorities for 2017 at their next meeting.
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Community Integration Task Group Update A summary of the key issues and future priorities for Housing; Health, Wellbeing and Welfare; Education; and Employment was circulated and the Task Group Chairman led through group through the key priorities. Two additional papers were circulated prior to the meeting and the Task Group asked for the Boards endorsement of both of these. The first paper set out an options paper for the Surrey CCGs to deliver the health needs for the Armed Forces Community. The Board agreed option 2 - to employ a 0.2FTE to work across the Surrey CCGs, should be taken forward. Action: PB to inform Debbie Hustings The second paper ‘Together for Carers’ set out a draft Memorandum of Understanding between Health and Social Care partners to support an integrated approach to the identifying, assessment and meeting of Carers’ health and wellbeing needs, including those needs of military families. The Board agreed their support for this proposal but queried how success would be quantified/measured. The Community Integration Task Group was asked to consider what success would look like and report back. Action: Community Integration Task Group SCC Gold Employer Recognition Award The Chairman was delighted to announce that Surrey County Council had been awarded the prestigious Gold Employer Recognition Award. The award was due to be presented to Surrey by HRH Duke of Cambridge at a ceremony the following week. The Board congratulated Surrey and asked for wide publicity, including an article in Surrey Matters and in the Surrey Chambers Newsletter. Action: Community Partnerships Team Shared Intelligence Report The Board noted that Surrey County Council and Woking Borough Council were two of the councils that were interviewed as part of the ‘deep dives’ to see how the Covenant was being implemented within local authorities. The outcome of the research, which was carried out by Shared Intelligence on behalf of the Local Government Association and Forces in Mind Trust was written up within the ‘Our Community Our Covenant’ report. The full report can be viewed via https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/armed-forces-community-covenant/armed-forces-community-covenant#improving-the-delivery-of-local-covenant-pledges Surrey Police – it was noted that residents who phone the 101 number are now asked whether they have served. Action: Steve Owen-Hughes to consider whether this should be the case for the Fire Service and Ambulance Service.
6 ARMED FORCES COVENANT FUND [Item 6] Strengthening local government delivery of the Covenant The Board noted that Surrey has been working with neighbouring County Councils including Kent, Hampshire and East and West Sussex with the support of ssafa and RBL on a cross border bid to the Armed Forces Covenant Fund with the aim to:
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Promote understanding and awareness of issues affecting the Armed Forces
Community within public authorities and other sectors to ensure the Covenant
is embedded in mainstream service delivery through sharing and building on
best practice.
If successful, funding will be used to develop training packages for staff and councillors, increase online information, and referral pathways. The outcome will be known in March 2017. Community Integration/Local Service Delivery Bids for grants up to £20k were available and Board Members were encouraged to consider possible projects. It was noted that the South East had performed well in previous rounds. (Post meeting note – Surrey was successful in receiving funding of £20,000 for Military Carers Support and £5021 for improving the family welfare house at Pirbright.) Discussion and actions: 1. Action: Steve Owen-Hughes and Community Partnerships Team to
discuss how the MASH (Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub) could support/identify veterans in need.
2. The Police and Crime Commissioner has funding which can be applied for via the Funding Hub - http://funding.surrey-pcc.gov.uk/
3. Could any applications for funding be made to support military families around the Domestic Abuse agenda, or how could support be mainstreamed into current service delivery. It was noted that Shelly Bandford from the Army Families Federation had received funding for a pilot course for victims of Domestic Abuse from the Nepalese community. It was noted that it would be good to try and assess the size of the problem of DA within the Gurkha community. Also need to ensure linkages made with Family Line and Surrey Womens Aid. Jodie Kennedy-Smith is the lead for 11 Brigade. Action: To be considered by the Community Integration Task Group.
4. It was noted that a play developed with support from Sussex Armed Forces Network aimed at exploring the issues faced by soldiers with PTSD has been put on in Eastbourne, and it was queried whether funds could be obtained to enable it to be shown in Surrey. www.shellshock.org.uk
8 UPDATES [Item 8]
Surrey Armed Forces Covenant Conference This would take place on 15 November at RLC Deepcut and have a focus on service families and health. DMRC Headley Court They are due to move in 2018, and a celebration march is being planned for 29 September 2017. Headley Court has been invited to head up the march at the Cenotaph in 2017. Consideration is being given to whether Headley should be granted Royal status. Work is ongoing to look after the needs of the staff who are not moving with Headley Court.
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Armed Forces Champions across the county are working well together with their Task Force Commanders. The next networking event for the county will be held on 1 December, kindly hosted by 27 Regt RLC in Aldershot. Many of the boroughs have now produced signposting leaflets for local armed forces families. Armed Forces Covenant for Business It was reported that at the recent Woking Means Business event, Skanska gave an excellent presentation on what it has achieved as a Silver holder of the Employer Recognition Award and the benefits of employing ex-service personnel. SCMPB/Woking BC had a stand at the event and 7 companies signed an expression of interest for funding out more about the Armed Forces Covenant. Surrey is looking at how to best recognise the support and work of Reservists who work for the council. It was noted that QinetiQ (who are Gold Award holders) will host a conference for Chief Executives on tangible benefits of the Covenant. Action: Stephanie Russell to send further information.
7 CADET UNITS IN SURREY AND POSSIBLE EXPANSION [Item 7] Stephanie Russell gave an update on Cadets in Surrey. It was noted that the expansion programme was focussed on areas of deprivation. The leaflet circulated with the agenda on Cadets has been sent to all Surrey schools. It was noted that the data showed just those units within the SERFCA area (which is outside the M25), not those within the Surrey area. Queries were raised about the disparity between the ratio of adult volunteers to cadets within the units. Action: Stephanie Russell to check data. It was noted that Ash Manor School is going through the process for a CCF. Board members asked whether it would be possible to see whether a Unit would be possible at Collingwood School. Action: Stephanie to feed back to Cadet Expansion Officer. The PCC noted that they are in the process of setting up Police Cadets and there will be synergies across the different types of Cadet Units.
9 AOB [Item 9] Bob Crawley raised the issue of support available to families living in Service Family Accommodation who split up from the person serving and have 90 days to find alternative accommodation. It was noted that support is available and families should be encouraged to contact their local authority as soon as possible to look at options before they become homeless. The family would be issued with a certificate of impending homelessness. Support for the family would also be available from the Unit Welfare Officer. Action: Housing Lead from Community Integration Task Group to contact Bob Crawley to talk through the process and support available.
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10 DATE OF NEXT MEETING [Item 10] The next meeting would be held at ATC Pirbright at 10am on Thursday 23 March 2017.
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SURREY (PWRR BN) ARMY CADET FORCE - UNIT STRENGTHS
Ratio needs to be a
minimum of 1 Adult : 10
CadetsThose highlighted in red
require additional impetus
for CFAV recruitment, but all
areas would be happy for
more.
A (Anzio) Coy
Unit Adults Cadets
Banstead 2 12
Felbridge 2 16
Horley 2 26
Lingfield 2 18
Redhill 3 20
Reigate (RAAS) 2 28
Reigate 2 20
COMPANY TOTAL 15 140
B (Burma) Coy
Unit Adults Cadets
Cranleigh 2 12
Dorking 2 17
Farncombe 1 12
Guildford 3 17
Haslemere 3 13
Leatherhead 3 14
Merrow 5 20
COMPANY TOTAL 19 105
C (Cambrai) Coy
Unit Adults Cadets
Addlestone 6 28
Chertsey 3 14
Chobham 3 16
Deepcut 4 18
Farnham 3 45
Mytchett 5 14
Woking 3 21
Yorktown 6 37
COMPANY TOTAL 33 193
Adults Cadets
GRAND TOTAL 67 438
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DRAFT
Surrey Civilian Military Partnership Board
Armed Forces Covenant Successes 2016/17
The Surrey Civilian Military Partnership Board (SCMPB) has a high level remit to foster closer
working relationships between a number of lead agencies and military partners, and meets twice a
year. The Board is supported by two Task Groups which each meet quarterly – Recognise and
Remember Task Group and Community Integration Task Group. The Board operates with the full
support of 11 Infantry Brigade (SE). Meetings, where appropriate, are held on military bases. Set
out below are some of the key successes of the Board, which have been achieved as a result of the
work carried out by representatives on either the Board or one of the Task Groups during the
2016/17 municipal year.
In addition, all Surrey local authorities have appointed an Armed Forces Champion and 11 Infantry
Brigade has assigned each district and borough council, a Task Force Commander from an
operational base covering or adjoining Surrey. Joint working between the Task Force Commanders
and the Armed Forces Champions has developed over the last 12 months with work being
progressed on a local basis under the priorities of Community Engagement, Youth Engagement and
Employer Engagement. Examples of achievements are contained within this paper.
General
The annual Surrey Armed Forces Covenant
Conference was held on 15 November at The
Princess Royal Barracks, Deepcut. It had a
particular focus on exploring issues in relation to
service families and health. Presentations were
given on the challenges facing Naval families;
support to service children; understanding the
health provision for Armed Forces and their families
and support for Military Young Carers in Surrey.
Delegates were able to explore issues further
during a series of workshops. In addition, the Conference provided an opportunity to celebrate
successful Remembrance activities including Surrey in the Great War and a celebration of the
first two minutes silence in Farnham, one hundred years ago.
The Army Sergeant Major presented his ‘Green Lines’ to the Covenant Conference – these are
a guide for soldiers based around the Army Leadership Code. Delegates were keen to see how
these could be used within their organisations.
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Item 6
The sharing of best practice is a key priority of SCMPB. As part of this work, the County Council
is working closely with the Ministry of Defence Communications Team to develop resources to
promote the benefits of the Armed Forces Covenant and the skills of Reservists and Veterans.
This has included work on a video clip involving Surrey Fire and Rescue highlighting the
transferable skills of ex-service personnel and veteran; and a video from the former Armed
Forces Champion of Runnymede Borough Council sharing her experiences of being a
Champion from her new life as an Army wife in the Falkland Islands – this was shared at the
National Armed Forces Covenant Conference in November 2016.
A Surrey Case Study has been published within the National Armed Forces Covenant Report
(https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/armed-forces-covenant-annual-report-2016) in
December 2016 setting out how Surrey and the district and borough councils have worked
closely together through their appointed Armed Forces Champions who have led the way in the
effective implementation of the Covenant across the County.
The Armed Forces Champion role description developed through the SCMPB is now an
exemplar and advertised as such by the Ministry of Defence and by MoD Ministers
During the course of the year, a further £25,021 of Armed Forces Covenant Grants were
brought into Surrey through successful projects. This brings the total awarded to date over the
past two years since the new Covenant Fund was introduced to £121,127. (Awaiting
announcement at end of March for further successful bids for this year.)
Following the launch of the new Armed Forces Covenant brand, the
SCMPB has developed new publicity materials to promote the
Covenant in Surrey.
Education and Young People
A regular newsletter is circulated to all Surrey schools containing
guidance for schools with service children, this includes for example
information on the use of the Service Pupil Premium, funds that can be
applied for to support armed forces families. In addition, a special newsletter was circulated in
September 2016 promoting the benefits of young people joining the Cadets.
An annual census of the number of Service children in Surrey schools enables information and
support to be focussed on particular schools, as and where appropriate.
The Borough and District Councils are continuing to
establish strong links with local Cadet Units. This is
being achieved through attendance at Cadet parades
and annual inspection visits. These visits allow officers
from the Cadets to build strong and effective links with
the Task Force Commander and Armed Forces
Champions. For example, in Mole Valley better
partnership links are being developed which include
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offering all Cadets work experience at the district council, a tour of the offices, inviting
representative to attend the Council’s annual Armed Forces Flag Raising ceremony and
identifying ways in which the Council can support the important role cadets play in our
communities.
Ash Manor School’s application for a Combined Cadet Force (CCF) was successful and the
school have been granted permission to establish an Army only section CCF. Training, security
checks and medicals are underway.
Employment
Promotion of Reservists is a key priority for 11 Infantry Brigade. This
has been carried out locally via a number of breakfast briefings,
including Woking Means Business on 5 October 2016 and an event
at The Runnymede Hotel on 10 February 2017 attended by Rt Hon
Philip Hammond MP. Seven companies completed expressions of
interest for signing the Armed Forces Covenant at Woking Means
Business which are being followed up by SE RFCA (South East
Reserve Forces and Cadet Association).
3PWRR has been working closely with Woking Borough Council
recruiting Reservists via a stand in Woking Town Centre.
Surrey County Council and Woking Borough Council are both members of the Regional
Employer Engagement Group hosted by SE RFCA which brings together key businesses from
across the region to look at taking forward the relationship between business and Defence.
Skanska, a Silver Employer Recognition Award holder gave a presentation to the Surrey Armed
Forces Champions setting out the general benefits of employing ex-service personnel and the
specific benefits to Skanska as an organisation.
Surrey local authorities recognise the benefits of employing ex-service personnel and
Reservists. For example, Reigate and Banstead Borough Council is a veteran friendly employer
and is positive about employing people who have served in the Armed Forces. They guarantee
an interview to any applicant who meets the essential requirements of the role and has served in
the Armed Forces within the past 3 years.
A number of Surrey authorities are promoting either Heroes Welcome or the Defence Discount
Scheme with local businesses as another way to support the Armed Forces Community in
Surrey.
Housing
Acknowledging that service personnel can find themselves in a position where they have no
connection to a local area( as a result of being posted abroad or in another part of the country),
Surrey authorities continue to support the exemption to the Local Connection criteria in the
Housing Allocation Scheme for armed forces personnel. Other support is also in place, for
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example and in addition to the priority given on the Housing Register, Reigate and Banstead
offer extra income disregards for people receiving war pensions. This also applies to the local
Council Tax Support scheme.
The Surrey Housing Officer Group has co-ordinated the addition of a question on all housing
application forms across the county asking if applicants were as ex-service personnel.
Borough and district council websites have been reviewed for accessibility, accuracy and
consistency of information including links to the Joint Service Housing Advice Office.
Borough and District Housing Teams attend 11 Infantry Brigade Transition Road Shows.
Health, Wellbeing and Welfare
In partnership with the Surrey Civilian Military Partnership Board, Surrey Young Carers
established a new post in September 2016 to support the needs of military young carers. Young
carers in military families can experience different responsibilities from other young carers in that
they may be caring for a parent who has been injured in service or has post-traumatic stress
disorder, as well as potentially caring for a parent or a sibling. As many military families live
away from their extended family and support networks, these young carers often face more
caring responsibilities than their non-military peers. For a variety of cultural reasons, including
the need for frequent relocation and the tendency to try to look after themselves, carers tend not
to readily reach out for external support, resulting in young carers in military families being
harder to identify.
Action for Carers Surrey in partnership with members of the Surrey Civilian Military Partnership
Board have identified a gap in service in the support provided to Armed Forces carers. Funding
has been awarded via the Armed Forces Covenant Fund to improve community integration
across all service providers by raising awareness and helping them to identify carers coming
from an Armed Forces background or anyone who is being cared for by someone who comes
from an Armed Forces background.
The SCMPB has recently supported ‘Together for Carers’ a draft Memorandum of
Understanding between Health and Social Care partners to provide an integrated approach to
the identifying, assessing and meeting of Carers’ health and wellbeing needs, including the
needs of military families.
The SCMPB formerly agreed to support a proposal to establish a part-time additional staffing
resource to support the six Surrey Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCG’s). This additional
resource will assist in the understanding of the particular health needs of the military community
and the implementation of the Covenant.
To ensure that members of the Armed Forces Community contacting the County Council receive
excellent customer service, training has been provided to 50% of Surrey County Council officers
within the Contact Centre on the types of issues facing the Armed Forces Community and other
sources of support available should the County Council not be the most appropriate organisation
to assist. As a large proportion of the clients that Adult Social Care engage with may be
veterans, an officer within the Adult Social Care Contact Centre has been designated as the
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Armed Forces Lead for the Team with specific responsibility to promote awareness and best
practice.
There are a number of local support groups for veterans in Surrey including the Surrey Heath
Veterans Listening Project and Veterans Support Association that are linked in to the network
through the annual Covenant Conference. In February 2016, an event was held at the Town Hall
Reigate to raise awareness of local support services and to explore how local organisations
could work better together to support the Armed Forces community. The meeting enabled
organisations to form new links and networks. “Ben’s Place” launched in October 2016. is an
example of an initiative that came about as a result of connections that were made at the
February event. This public, private and voluntary sector partnership initiative offers pro bono
support and advice to ex-forces personnel and their families and includes legal, housing,
financial, employment help and mental health support.
Recognition and Remembrance
The Recognise and Remember Task Group is working with the Armed
Forces Champions across the county to photograph all of the Surrey war
memorials for the First World War (WWI) Centenary Project "Surrey in the
Great War: A County Remembers".
Guidelines have been produced for Freedom Marches and a Protocol has
been drawn up for Public Military Events to ensure all such events can be properly
assessed and ample advanced notice given well in advance of the planned event, such as a
Freedom March via the Assistant Chief Constable.
Guildford Borough Council and Woking Borough Council have both resolved to grant the
Freedom of the Borough to Army Training Centre (ATC) (Pirbright). ATC (Pirbright) will exercise
their right in Woking on 23 April 2017 and in Guildford on 24 June 2017.
Draft Orders of Service have been prepared for a number of military services including for
Victoria Cross 100th Anniversaries; the Laying up of Standards; Dedications and Armed Forces
Day Flag Raising.
All Surrey local authorities celebrated National Armed Forces Week with flag raising events on
Monday 20 June 2016. The Lord-Lieutenant with the High Sheriff and all Surrey’s Mayors and
Chairmen attended Surrey Joint Services’ Charities Choral Mattins at Guildford Cathedral on
Sunday 19 June 2016.
On Sunday 26 June 2016, Guildford BC with the support of ABF Surrey The Soldiers’ Charity
held its 2nd Historic Military Vehicles Rally and Show at Loseley Park as part of Guildford BC’s
legacy in hosting National Armed Forces Day in June 2015. The Lord-Lieutenant and Mayor of
Guildford jointly opened the event at which 2,000 people visited to see 100 military vehicles.
SE RFCA hosted an event to commemorate the Battle of the
Somme on 1 July 2016 at Surrey Sports Park which involved
Army and Cadet football teams playing against schools, Fire
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Service and local football teams. Nineteen teams took part. In addition to this countywide event,
a number of local events were held. For example, in Surrey Heath 14-19 year olds were
encouraged to submit a monologue from Corporal Edwin Harry Parker, a local soldier who died
on the first day of the battle. The winning entry was read at the opening of the Surrey Heath
Museum exhibition.
Surrey Fire and Rescue have erected a memorial plaque to
remember 100 serving Fire Officers who gave their lives in the
First and Second World Wars.
Reigate and Banstead Borough Council has established a First
World War (WWI) working group to develop and coordinate a
commemorative centenary programme of events and initiatives
such as Adopt a Grave and the inclusion of local school children at Armistice Day services at 6
memorials across the Borough.
Tandridge District Council co-ordinated the laying up of the
Whyteleafe RBL Standard with 4 Armd Med Regt at St Luke’s
Church on Sunday 3rd May 2016.
Mole Valley District Council has facilitated and organised a
number of commemorative events throughout the year. This
includes Remembrance Sunday services at Dorking and
Leatherhead and Armed Forces Day ‘Fly the Flag’ ceremony. The Council also supported
Merchant Navy Day in September 2016 by participating in the ‘Fly the Ensign’ campaign.
Local Authorities
Surrey County Council has developed highly effective cross border relationships with
neighbouring councils including Kent County Council. East Sussex County Council, West
Sussex County Council, Hampshire County Council, Medway Council and Brighton and Hove
Council and has established a South East Regional Cross Border Working Group, comprising
both officers and councillors from Councils and the NHS. This has provided an effective
mechanism for ensuring consistency of approach and the sharing of expertise developed by
individual authorities. For example, Surrey and Hampshire County Councils are recipients of the
2016 MoD Gold Employer Recognition Scheme Award; Sussex Armed Forces Network hold
National Military and Civilian Health Partnership Awards for education, training and research
and Kent County Council’s work on Sheds Projects improving Veteran’s mental health, Service
Children’s Voice Conference and wider research.
The South East Regional Cross Border Working Group has submitted an application to the
Ministry of Defence Armed Forces Covenant Fund to promote understanding and awareness of
issues affecting the Armed Forces Community within public authorities and other sectors in
order to ensure that the Covenant is embedded in mainstream service delivery through the
sharing of and building on best practice. The funding will be used to develop training packages
for staff and councillors, increased online information and referral pathways. The outcome of the
bid will be known in March 2017.
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Surrey County Council was recognised for its
support to the Armed Forces with a coveted Gold
Award from the Ministry of Defence. Surrey is
among the first councils nationally to receive the
highest award under the Defence Employer
Recognition Scheme. It was presented by HRH
Prince William and Defence Secretary Rt Hon Sir
Michael Fallon MP at a ceremony at the Royal
Hospital Chelsea in London. The scheme
rewards employers who actively support and promote the interests of former servicemen and
women and their families as well as members of the Reserve forces. Surrey County Council
employs over 25 reservists and many veterans, and is in the process of establishing a
monitoring system to chart progress. Woking Borough Council was awarded the Silver Award in
July 2016 at a prestigious event onboard HMS Victory, and Mole Valley District Council was
awarded the Bronze Award.
Surrey County Council and Woking Borough Council were interviewed as part of the ‘deep
dives’ to ascertain how the Covenant was being implemented within local authorities across the
UK. The outcome of the research, which was carried out by Shared Intelligence on behalf of the
Local Government Association and Forces in Mind Trust was written up within the ‘Our
Community Our Covenant’ report and presented to the National Armed Forces Covenant
Conference in November 2016. The full report can be viewed via
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/armed-forces-community-covenant/armed-forces-
community-covenant#improving-the-delivery-of-local-covenant-pledges
On 1 December 2016, Surrey Armed
Forces Champions and Task Force
Commanders held a very useful and
successful seminar sharing best
practice and networking. The event,
kindly hosted by 27 Regiment RLC,
identified / looked at the three key
actions that would be jointly taken by
each of the local authorities and the
Army over the coming months. These
included future timetabling of key
events, and provision of transport for
the Army to remembrance events
within the county. In addition to these countywide meetings, the local authorities meet regularly
with their Task Force Commander to take forward the identified work locally.
Surrey, Woking and Mole Valley council staff have attended the Sandhurst Leadership
Challenge which is held every six months in March and September. This is a leadership training
day which offers a unique opportunity to develop the leadership and teamwork skills of young
executives and managers under the expert guidance of the Reserve Forces.
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Points of Contact and Signposting Leaflets for both front line staff and the Military have been
prepared in Guildford, Runnymede and Reigate and Tandridge
A briefing document on the key issues facing the Armed Forces Community and local contacts
has been produced and circulated to all Surrey County Councillors and district and borough
councils, as well as being shared cross border with other County Councils as a template which
others may wish to use.
Local authorities have reviewed their Armed Forces web pages to promote community events
and provide links to other relevant services.
Briefings have been given to the majority of the Local/Joint Committees in Surrey on the
achievements gained from taking forward the Covenant at a local level. In addition, a briefing on
the Military was made to Tandridge Full Council on 21st July 2016 by 4 Armoured Medical
Regiment and the Chairman and Advisor of Surrey Civilian Military Partnership Board.
Surrey County Council, Mole Valley District Council and Woking Borough Council attended an
event at Royal Military Academy Sandhurst examining how the Army can more fully reflect the
demographics of the UK in relation to the Black and Minority Ethnic Community (BAME).
To acknowledge the sacrifices that members of the Armed Forces give for their country, Mole
Valley District Council provides concessionary rates for Armed Forces personnel at Dorking
Sports Centre, Leatherhead Leisure Centre and Dorking Halls.
As part of a wider awareness campaign led by Surrey County Council, Borough and District
Councils as well as other business and voluntary organisations were made aware of the benefits
of volunteering as an Adult Volunteer within the Cadets. This included adverts on line, through
the “Surrey Matters” magazine and advertising on local buses.
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Supporting Vulnerable
Families
What were the outcomes?
The Adults Team within the Contact Centre has
appointed an Armed Forces Champion who is
able to provide more in depth advice to colleagues
on more difficult issues.
Staff are now able to provide additional advice to
members of the armed forces community where
appropriate. Set out below is a summary of a call
taken in January 2017, which shows the positive
impact of the training and links made with service
charities.
• A call was taken from an ex-serviceman who
explained that he, his wife and two children, one
with special needs, were homeless and currently
living in emergency housing. He hadn’t eaten for
a number of days, had no money and large debts
and was close to committing suicide as he didn’t
know what to do. During conversation the call
handler asked whether he had previously
served. He explained that he had been
discharged from the Army a few years ago
following nearly 20 years of service, including
tours in Afghanistan and had regular nightmares
about the terrible things he had witnessed. As
well as linking in statutory services to support the
family, including housing, Community Mental
Health Team and Children’s Services, links were
also made to The Royal British Legion and ssafa
to explore support available for a deposit for a
house, Combat Stress for support with his PTSD,
SERVES Project for further support for his mental
health and the Local Assistance Scheme for
money for food and petrol.
Each month there are approximately five referrals
from SCC Contact Centre to ssafa Surrey who
have been able to provide additional support in a
number of cases.
What was the challenge you faced?Surrey County Council supports 1.1 million
residents within the County including
approximately 55,000 veterans and 6,200
serving personnel and their families. Often the
first point of contact for residents requiring
support is Surrey County Council’s Contact
Centre. The challenge was to raise awareness
amongst front line staff of the potential issues
facing Surrey’s armed forces community and the
support that is available through statutory and
voluntary organisations, including service
charities.
How did you respond?
A series of training sessions were held with staff
from the Contact Centre on the armed forces
community explaining who they are; where they
are located, the types of issues they face; the
additional help they can access; and how staff
can support them. Members of the Training
Team also attended these sessions so they
could train new members of staff. A list of key
service charities and organisations providing
support to the armed forces community was
circulated and added to the online resources
available to staff.
In addition, a further presentation was given to
the top 100 managers from Adult Social Care by
ssafa and the Royal British Legion to explain
services provided and give examples of support
given. Following this the Chairman of ssafa
Surrey visited the Contact Centre to further
promote service charities and build up good
working relationships.
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DRAFT SCMPB Executive Priorities for 2017/18 This document needs to be read alongside the Action Plans for the Recognise and Remember Task Group and Community Integration Task Group
1. Advocacy and engagement
i. Promote Surrey Case Studies nationally through the MoD
ii. Continue to lead on cross border working and action the SE Bid if successful
iii. Promotion of forecast of events to be publicised via AFCs/TFCs and the military diary
iv. Update Armed Forces website and continue to promote activities via social media
v. Plan and deliver annual Armed Forces Covenant Conference
2. Armed Forces Champions (AFCs)
i. Provide on-going support and advice to AFCs, Covenant Officers and Task Force
Commanders on a local basis which will help ensure raised awareness of the roles of each
organisation and joint working.
ii. Facilitate six monthly meetings of AFCs and Covenant Officers with Task Force Commanders
iii. Ensure AFCs, TFCs and SCMPB Members keep each other updated with regard to upcoming
moves and changes in key personnel to enable effective succession planning.
3. SCC Staff awareness
i. Reframe Surrey’s Armed Forces Covenant – ensure Surrey CC policies do not disadvantage
Military community (via implications in committee reports)
ii. Training sessions for front line staff (through SE Covenant bid)
iii. Facilitate SCC Service Managers meetings as appropriate to take forward Covenant internally
iv. Promote links between HR and Career Transition Partnership to encourage more service
leavers to work for local authorities
4. Reservists
i. Promote Armed Forces Covenant for businesses within Surrey working closely with DRM and
SE RFCA
ii. Develop audit mechanism ensuring continuous improvement in relation to Gold Employer
Recognition Award
iii. Establish Peer support network for Surrey Reservists
iv. Support Reserves Day on 21 June 2017
v. Supporting and encouraging Business Breakfast Briefing to promote benefits of Reservists
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5. Veterans
i. Awareness of Adult Social Care staff and relevant staff within the district and borough
councils (including day centres, Housing Associations and lunch clubs) of the support
available from Service Charities
ii. Develop effective referral mechanisms between agencies to best address veteran needs
building on the SE Funding bid.
iii. Look at ways of identifying veterans within Surrey, eg through voter registration, asking at
contact centres ‘Did you serve?’ etc.
6. Youth/Children:
i. Youth – continue to explore links between 11 Brigade and SCC Services for Young People
with a view to Surrey NEET young people taking part in the Armed Forces Employability
Pathways Programme
ii. Raise awareness of Covenant with SCC Children’s Management Team
iii. Promote adult volunteering opportunities for Cadet Units
iv. Promote CCF and Cadet movement within Surrey Schools under the Cadet Expansion
Scheme
v. Promote links between SERFCA, 11 Brigade and the UTC in Guildford with a view to
developing a CCF
7. Covenant Funding
i. Maximising Covenant grants brought into Surrey
ii. Continue Surrey CC representation on the Regional Funding Panel
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Surrey Businesses being Targeted by DRM/SERFCA
Organisations that we have targeted due to their potential to offer a structured Partnership with Defence
Strategic Accounts that continue to be developed by DRM
The accounts that are dormant at the moment, but could be developed (have previously had some engagement)
Companies targeted purely for Employer Support (they employ a Reservist) with the option to progress with the ERS and AFC if they choose to do so
Surrey Surrey Police – 8 Active Reservists, 6 Previous Reservists (AFC signed, No ERS)
South East Coast Ambulance Service – 14 Active Reservists, 3 Previous Reservists (No AFC, No ERS)
Elmbridge Jankel Armouring – 2 Active Reservists, 2 Previous Reservists (AFC signed, Silver ERS)
Sony Europe Ltd – 3 Active Reservists, 2 Previous Reservists (No AFC, No ERS) Proctor and Gamble – 1 Active Reservist, 1 Previous Reservist (No AFC, No ERS)
JTI
Cobham Aviation Services – 3 Reservists Cobham Avionics & Surveillance
Epsom and Ewell N/A Nuffield Health – 15 Active Reservists, 3 Previous Reservists (AFC signed, No ERS)
N/A N/A
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Guildford Royal Surrey County Hospital – 6 Active Reservists (AFC signed, Bronze ERS) University of Surrey – 4 Active Reservists, 3 Previous Reservists (AFC signed, No ERS)
Explore Learning – 1 Active Reservist, 1 Previous Reservist (No AFC, No ERS) Philips UK – 1 Active Reservist, 1 Previous Reservist (No AFC, No ERS)
Explore Learning Giggling Restaurants Hallmarq Veterinary Imaging Ltd Thursday's (UK) Limited (Trading as TGI Friday's)
Bessler Hendrie Chartered Accountants BMI Mount Alvernia Hospital British Oxygen Company - BOC
Mole Valley ESP Utilities Group Limited – as a large employer Wates Construction Limited – 1 Active Reservist (AFC signed, Silver ERS)
Kellogg Brown & Root Ltd – 4 Active Reservists, 3 Previous Reservists (Silver ERS) Unilever – 7 Active Reservists (No AFC, No ERS)
Robert Dyas Holdings Limited
Combat Stress – 2 Reservists
Reigate and Banstead CitySprint (UK) Limited – as a large employer Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust – 1 Active Reservist, 1 Previous Reservist (No AFC, Bronze ERS)
Toyota Motor Manufacturing UK – 2 Active Reservists (Silver ERS)
Doyle & Tratt Products Ltd Jellyfish Online Marketing Ltd
Canon UK & Ireland CNC Vacuum Processes
Runnymede Ashford and St Peter's Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust – 2 Active Reservists (No AFC, No ERS) Drumgrange – 1 Active Reservist (AFC signed,
Compass Group – 15 Active Reservists, 3 Previous Reservists (AFC signed, No ERS)
Enterprise Rent-A-Car UK Limited PageGroup
N/A
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Bronze ERS)
Spelthorne N/A N/A N/A N/A
Surrey Heath CVQO – 1 Active Reservist, 1 Previous Reservist (AFC signed, Silver ERS), the leading CFAV employer in the South East Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust – 11 Active Reservists, 4 Previous Reservists (No AFC, Bronze ERS)
N/A Cennox Banking PLC Krispy Kreme U.K. Limited Nurture Landscapes Limited
Clearwater Technology
Tandridge N/A N/A N/A N/A
Waverley Constantine Group PLC – as a large employer Reassured Limited – as a large employer
N/A N/A Biocompatibles UK Ltd
Woking Mouchel – 1 Active Reservist, 3 Previous Reservists (AFC signed, Bronze ERS) McLaren Automotive – as a trade specific employer Surrey Chamber of Commerce – as a conduit for key messaging
Capgemini UK PLC – 11 Active Reservists (No AFC, No ERS) ISS Facilities Services – 6 Active Reservists, 4 Previous Reservists (Gold Award holder)
Fidessa Tusker Igeolise
WWF Clear Channel
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(SAB Miller – as a large employer – no longer in Woking)
NB - The Employer Support list is a growing list that will be expanded over the next few weeks as we continue to go through the JPA generated data. In
essence, these accounts are ‘natural traffic’ for ERS and AFC activity and will be developed accordingly. This does not prevent additional engagement with
other organisations who wish to engage. It just focuses our efforts.
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