Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillor Khan.  Councillor Short acted as substitute representative for Councillor Khan. 

No declarations of interest or dispensations were submitted at the meeting.

To submit the Minutes of the Communities and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 6^th September 2017 for approval as a correct record.

The Minutes of the Communities and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 6^th September 2017 were submitted for approval as a correct record.     

Resolved                               -   That the Minutes be received and approved as a correct record.

To provide Members with an update on NHS England’s Transforming Care.

This item was adjourned to a future meeting.

To receive a presentation on the service provided by the Veterans Association UK.

Tony Hayes, Chief Executive of the Veterans Association UK, gave a presentation on the service provided by the Veterans Association UK.   He informed the Committee that he was a former soldier who had been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and referred to the numbers of former soldiers who were affected by this.  He pointed out that break downs amongst those affected were common with many ending up on the street.  He informed the Committee that the number of veterans affected were higher than recorded.

A video was shown of the stories of a number of local veterans.

Tony Hayes reported that they had opened two further offices in Kent and Nottinghamshire which were run by staff also affected by PTSD.  He indicated that the Veterans Association UK provided a very holistic service for former forces personnel which included support for those requiring housing and social welfare.  He informed the Committee that they had to organise fund raising activities in order to continue the charitable service.  He referred to his knowledge of housing law and how this had been invaluable when acting on behalf of clients.  He also commented on the disputes he had had with social welfare to provide adequate adaptations for appropriate cases. 

Members of the Committee requested further information on the cost of the service.  Tony Hayes reported that the service relied on public donations and that they had employed a fund raising team in order to keep the service running.  He pointed out that their organisation did not receive funding through the normal channel.  He pointed out that they had not been successful with applications for CCG funding. 

The Chair indicated that the Council had assisted the Charity in the past with funding for the market hall office.  Tony Hayes reported that the Accrington Office was opened four days per week and that they ran community courses from the Library so facilities had improved.  He referred to the number of veterans that the organisations had helped. 

Councillor Short thanked the Veterans Association for the work they did and expressed concern that services, such as they provided, had to be delivered by a charitable organisation.  He informed the Committee that the organisation had received a grant from the Peel and Barnfield Area Fund which had helped them to pay rental charges.  Tony Hayes pointed out that rental charges were £1,500 per year. 

Councillor Ayub referred to the Awards for All funding stream and asked if they had approached them.  Tony Hayes informed the Committee that the Veterans Association UK had only had one project over a 12 month period but now required security for the mobile unit and intended to make a further application for funding.  He pointed out that Hyndburn Homes had been very good in their assistance with housing.  Councillor Short reported that Hyndburn Homes had been responsive to a request for a point of contact within the organisation in dealing with applications from Armed Forces personnel. 

The Chair acknowledged the problems that the Veterans  ...  view the full minutes text for item 207.