Agenda item

This report provides an update on the new Armed Forces Act and the Armed Forces Covenant, implications of those for South Kesteven District Council and aspirations under the Council’s Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award.

The Community Engagement Manager presented the report providing an update on the new Armed Forces Act and the Armed Forces Covenant, implications for South Kesteven District Council and aspirations under the Council’s Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award.

The Chairman informed the Committee that on 8 December 2022, the last surviving Dambuster, Johnny Johnson, had sadly passed away at the age of 101.

It was highlighted the recently released census figure revealed that more than 7000 military veterans reside in the District.

The Armed Forces Officer supported the report with a Powerpoint presentation which provided photographs of recent events that had taken place throughout the year.

Committee Members thanked all Officers and Members involved in the hard work around Armed Forces.

Members raised the following points in relation to Armed Forces in South Kesteven:

·       That May 2023 will see the 80^th anniversary of the ‘Dambusters raid’. It was hoped that authorities in Lincolnshire would take part in the celebration.

·       Stamford Welland Academy was one of the few schools in the country that had a combined cadet force.

·       South Kesteven was the landlord to the Air Cadets in Stamford.

The Armed Forces Officer highlighted the ‘Dambusters raid’ was coordinated in Grantham at St Vincent’s Hall in 1943. Pre-covid, a series of events were organised, and it was hoped a similar event could take place for the 80^th anniversary of the ‘Dambusters raid’.

A query was raised on whether the Warwickshire County Council e-learning training module was due to be rolled out to Councillors also.

It was confirmed the training module was via Warwickshire County Council due to the benefit of networking relationships and collections of good ideas. 

An example was requested on what a local business had done to support the Armed Forces.

The Armed Forces Officer documented Grantham had two Gold Award businesses (Recruit Me and TMS). These businesses were being used to encourage other businesses to become involved with the employer recognition scheme and sign up, as part of the action plan for 2023.

One Member raised concern regarding the mental health of former service personnel residing in South Kesteven and whether the Council offered any support to them. The number of ex-military rough sleepers within the District was queried and whether any support was provided for them. It was further questioned whether jobs would be protected if reservists were called up, as it was believed this was part of legislation.

The Armed Forces Act followed three principles:

·       Housing

·       Education

·       Health/Mental health

The Armed Forces Officer had been involved with mental health groups and peer support breakfast clubs for ex-military individuals. It was highlighted that doctors had been encouraged to sign up to the GP veteran accreditation scheme which allowed GP’s to be aware of health issues as a result of military service with extra training available for practice staff. 

One Member invited all present to the British Legion Branch in February where the National Chairman of the Goldfish Club was due to provide a talk on the club set up in World War II for survivors saved by a dinghy. The Member requested the event was publicised.

It was confirmed there was a specific resource within the NHS to tackle mental health called ‘Op Courage’.

It was noted the majority of the events had taken place in Grantham.

One Member highlighted that within the report, an update on the Lincolnshire Defence and Security Network was an ‘Arms Fair’ and this did not include military history.

It was proposed, seconded and AGREED:

That Members of the Rural and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee:

1.    Recommend to the Chief Executive consideration is given to prioritise the approved staff training budgets to include mandating the Armed Forces e-learning module

2.    Endorse the suggested approach for the Council’s Economic Development Service to assist in promoting the Greater Lincolnshire Defence and Security Network to appropriate defence-related South Kesteven businesses

3.    Support suggesting to the Culture and Visitor Economy Overview and Scrutiny Committee that recognition of South Kesteven’s rich military history is included in the Council’s emerging Visitor Economy Strategy