Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture & Sport.

The report details the work the council has undertaken with stakeholders to support the borough’s armed forces community.

The Cabinet is requested to comment on and endorse the Armed Forces Covenant 2023/24.

Officer contact: Vicki Bates on 0161 474 3219 or email: vicki.bates@stockport.gov.uk

The Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture & Sport (Councillor Frankie Singleton) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) outlining the purpose of the Armed Forces Covenant and providing an overview of key achievements against the identified priorities during 2023-2024.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·       A significant amount of work had been undertaken to achieve the Gold Standard and the work of officers and members, including former Cabinet Members, was commended in driving progress in this area.

·       The work of local businesses in contributing to and supporting the work of the Armed Forces Covenant was recognised.

RESOLVED – That the Armed Forces Covenant Annual Report 2023/24 be noted and endorsed.

To consider a report of the Assistant Director for Legal & Democratic Services.

The report sets out the work and support undertaken during the municipal year 2024/24 in furtherance of the Armed Forces Covenant.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to note the report.

Officer contact: Vicki Bates on 0161 474 3219 or email vicki.bates@stockport.gov.uk

The Assistant Director for Legal & Democratic Governance submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the work and support undertaken during the municipal year 2024/24 in furtherance of the Armed Forces Covenant.

Amanda Peers (Chair of the Stockport Armed Forces Covenant (SAFCO)) and Moz Perkins (Secretary of SAFCO) attended the meeting to support the discussion and respond to councillors’ questions on this item.

The Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture & Sport (Councillor Frankie Singleton) also attended the meeting to respond to councillors’ questions.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         Members congratulated all those involved in the accreditation of Stockport Council with the Gold Award by the Ministry of Defence for its ongoing support for veterans and their families.

·         Members also congratulated SAFCO for raising more than £2,000 for local charities during Armed Forces Day 2024.

·         The Chair of SAFCO reported that the organisation was run by volunteers using their own time and that the operational work was intended to benefit members of the SAFCO community. The organisation had made considerable progress over the past four years, working with people who had a particular interest in the armed forces. That perspective had made a difference to the service.

·         Members welcomed the report and noted the references to healthcare, jobs and those who work with veterans with brain injuries and those who were autistic.

·         SAFCO took account of the housing needs of veterans. Stockport Homes were on the Covenant’s steering group and work with housing officers was ongoing in order to ringfence housing for veterans across Greater Manchester. As a result, Stockport was performing better than other parts of the UK in looking after the housing needs of veterans.

·         The next step for the organisation was to map provision for veterans across the borough; a report would be submitted to Area Committees annually to update on local provision.

·         SAFCO was still in the process of being incorporated as a charitable organisation. There remained some requirements to fulfil include producing 12 months’ accounts.

·         Next year, 2025, would be the centenary of the Stockport War Memorial and Art Gallery. SAFCO intended to celebrate that centenary alongside the VE and VJ day celebrations.

·         SAFCO was engaged in succession planning and engaging young people in the Covenant. All branches of the cadets had a voice within the organisation. Cadets were also involved in the Armed Forces Day parade which helped raise their profile. The Normandy Veterans Association worked on curriculums with schools.

·         There was an issue with the recruitment and retention of leaders within the organisation; some were at or past retirement age. The Covenant encouraged any interested parties to join the organisation. A key priority was to train new standard bearers.

·         Members suggested that school groups could be invited to visit projects run by armed forces groups, such as the beehives installed by Project RECCE.

·         As part of the World War One Centenary Commemorations a project had taken place which had brought together the stories of fallen soldiers named on war memorials into a book. This project had funding and support from the council. It was suggested that this project could be replicated for war memorials across the borough to enable residents to engage with the work of SAFCO.

·         The support of ward councillors to bring unused land, such as that behind Pear Mill, into use for cadets, was welcomed.

·         Veterans breakfast clubs were non-political events; nonetheless members were welcome to join the clubs to engage with veterans in their community.

·         Members suggested that SAFCO could present to a full Council meeting in the run up to Armed Forces Day.

·         Representatives of SAFCO were thanked for their work for the armed forces.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.