Guidance

VAPC south east England: meeting minutes 27 January 2025

Updated 12 June 2025

Attendees:

Graham Cable (Chair)

Dan Brooks (DB)

John Scivier (JS)

Patrick Lyster-Todd (PLT)

Kate Steels (KS)

Ian Talbot (IT)

Robin Draper (RD)

Craig Jones (CJ)

Debra Soper (DS)

Gary Cass (GC)

Colin Howe (CHo)

Apologies:

Clive Hunt (CH)

Absent

Keith Malcolm (KM)

Ali Grant (AG)

1. Apologies

Received from CH

2. Welcome

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting from a warm Iraq. The Chair commented on the fact that it would be good for the next meeting to be face to face somewhere but was conscious of the geographic, work commitment and time constraints.

3. Minutes of previous meetings

All present accepted the previously forwarded minutes as a true reflection of the meeting on 17 October 2024.

Matters arising:

• Stewart Blackburn (Chair CVC) Brief 바카라 사이트“ The situation with regard to ministerial direction remains much the same and despite attempts from Chair CVC to engage, we are still very much in limbo. It is hoped that by the time of the next SEVAPC meeting, there may be a positive change to the current situation. The Chair hinted that if nothing was forthcoming soon, the CVC might consider a robust push into Min. V&P. Later in this meeting, DS advised against this and said the best way to get into a fledgling ministerial office is little and often rather than once and hard. Mention was made of a handwritten letter from Chair CVC to Min V&P congratulating him on his recent award of the DSO. He received back a handwritten letter from the Minister saying he was keen to engage with Chair CVC. JS commented on the fact that the letter from Min V&P was individualised rather than expanding into VAPCs in general. PLT commented on the fact that he had met Min V&P three times and had discussed the VAPC with him. Min V&P said he was enthused but there was an in-depth review in progress and that he would engage but at the right time. The Chair raised the question about how much of what we get from the Minister is actually personally driven or from him or his outer office.

GC was extremely frustrated by the lack of action from government and the fact that he is doing nothing, to the extent that if the situation does not improve, he would seriously consider resigning from the VAPC committee. DB commented that Min V&P had remarked about his portfolio being huge in that he now has responsibility for serving personnel and families. In sum, the portfolio has increased and the staff he has decreased. Min V&P remarked again that VAPCs have a place and he is very supportive.

• RD asked a question on Op Valour. Chair replied that he thinks there is little progress as regards VAPC engagement to date. JS said that he had heard that a report was due mid-December and that it may take a while to filter through (if indeed it has been submitted). DB remarked that comments from a recent event suggested that Op Valour was not high up of the priority list and may be delayed.
• CJ remarked that he had had quite a bit of contact with Min V&P and is due to meet a few more times over the next few months. He offered to quietly slip in the subject of VAPCs. Chair reiterated the need for measured input directly into the Minister but any input that reinforces that the VAPC is there should be encouraged.
• Removal of the P in VAPC was raised by RD and minuted. The Chair has heard nothing new on the subject so at the moment, we continue as VAPC. JS stated that he had read somewhere and had been chatting to the Chair CVC and that the P was going to be removed but the fact should not be discussed outside of VAPC committees until such an announcement is made. The Chair will seek some confirmation from Chair CVC on this matter.
• Chair commented on the fact that at CVC level, it has been stated that the regional VAPCs should not be interfered with in regard to their differing strategies and engagement. Chair stressed the importance of the annual report in reflecting our own regional modus operandi.
• Concern is ongoing on the moratorium on recruiting and the fact that the SEVAPC is operating well below capacity and geographic spread. There is little we can do about that until we get governmental direction.

4. Annual report

JS with the help of CH is compiling the SEVAPC annual report. A call to arms for input has been sent out but has had limited response. A request was passed to all members to send anything in that can be used in the report (activity, engagements, issues etc). The draft needs to be complete by the end of January for finalisation and submission to the CVC by February at the latest. Once the draft is complete, it will be sent to committee members for comment.

5. CIG updates

Housing 바카라 사이트“ PLT 바카라 사이트“ the CIG has effectively stalled because the CIG members are unsure of the future and the direction that may or may not be coming. It is unsure what role there will be for a housing committee. It is considered nugatory to do too much work without knowing what form the requirement will take down the line. This was fully appreciated by the rest of the committee. PLT will however convene a meeting with current members.

Finance and Debt 바카라 사이트“ DS 바카라 사이트“ DS has had useful conversations with Chair Scotland and others and reports a flurry of activity over the past couple of weeks. She has received information from FiMT research findings. More data is required and this is being sourced. The Chair stated that cross-committee talk via the CIGs is critical for cross regional work.

6. 바카라 사이트 gateway accounts

JS stated that the 바카라 사이트 Gateway accounts have now been set up and all committee members have been issued with their individual accounts. There are issues though with the fact that we now have another account to monitor and one that needs to be logged into every time it is used. Others expressed some concern about using the new accounts.

It was suggested and agreed that emails from JS (in his capacity of Secretary) will continue to be sent via private email account to members private email accounts (or work accounts as necessary). He will only use the 바카라 사이트 account for VAPC related matters to external agencies. The situation is not ideal but the most pragmatic solution.

7. Any other business

1. The Chair referenced a recent comment from the Chair of Wales VPAC regarding the recent announcement about the taxing of death-in-service payments (for deaths not attributable to service). The question was asked how Min V&P voted in any vote that triggered the treasury decision. CJ mentioned that the decision would not have been subject to a vote as it was a treasury budgetary mandate. Post meeting note 바카라 사이트“ JS has been looking at the issue and the new regulations are confusing. One reported change is that dependants who are not a spouse or declared civil partner and who receive the DISB will be subject to IHT. Spouses and Civil partners are not subject to IHT. JS could not find any mention of the service-related/non-service-related death factor. The Forces Pension Society have been engaged in the consultations and a letter from them has been sent to HRMC which gives more information. That letter can be found .
2. KS informed the committee that the Hampshire Military and Civilian Partnership conference will be held at RAF Odiham on Wednesday 12th March. JS will attend and will send out more information on registration for those also interested.
3. PLT raised the issue (gleaned from a veteran) that AFVS (formally Vets UK) lack empathy, understanding and compassion when dealing with veterans, particularly those with complex mental-health issues and considered that AFVS is struggling with staffing constraints and volume of work. DB then observed that relevant social media site also indicates widespread discontent with AFVS amongst veterans. RD concurred that currently, AFVS is not providing an optimal service and the new IT system and general staffing issues exacerbate the problems. CH shared his own experiences with the failings of AFVS with regard to AFCS applications. All of these concerns will be integrated into the SEVAPC annual report.
4. CJ commented that Fighting With Pride is keen to spread their message and work throughout the veteran community. The Chair commented that the VAPC is an ideal vehicle to do that.
5. CH advertised the Mission Motorsport national Transition event at Silverstone on February 24th. JS stated that a debrief could be used in next year바카라 사이트™s annual report.
6. RD raised the concern that the strategy of the VAPCs as stated in various ministerial and CVC directives is far too broad and far-reaching for the manpower and capabilities of the regional VAPCs. There is potential for the VAPCs to be seen as a solution to all veteran related issues and by accepting a role and remit that we cannot fulfil is setting the whole VAPC organisation up to fail. This will be put into the SEVAPC report.
7. PLT raised the subject of the difficulties of opening and accessing Defence Gateway accounts. It does not appear to allow access to all of the sub-programmes such as the reparations app. There appear to be difficulties in contacting the owning authority for help and assistance.

8. Thrive Together brief

Thrive Together (TT) is the second phase of the AFCFT VPPP programme and for the South East, Veterans Outreach Support (VOS) is the portfolio lead. TT(SE) operates in exactly the same geographic region as VAPC and there is much synergy and potential for collaborative work between the two groups. JS, coincidentally, is Chairman of VOS and has been working closely with the portfolio manager to see where we can interact.

The CEO of VOS (Ian Millen) kindly put together a point brief on TT but due to time constraints, there was no time to show the video during this meeting.

9. Date and location of next meeting

TBC 바카라 사이트“ The next meeting will be in the first two working weeks of May. It is hoped that a F2F meeting can take place, probably in (but not necessarily restricted to ) Portsmouth. JS will send out a poll IDC.