Issue - meetings

Report by Carolyn Godfrey, Corporate Director.

The Leader presented the report which provided an update of the Military Civilian Integration (MCI) Partnership’s work and sought Cabinet’s continued support for the partnership and its programme of work. In giving her presentation, the Leader asked Cabinet members to provide further detail about specific projects.

Issues highlighted in the course of the presentation and discussion included: that the last update report had been made to Cabinet in October 2013; the key aspects of the ongoing work, and how Wiltshire Council was working together with MOD (particularly SW Region Brigade, the Defence Infrastructure Organisation - DIO) and partners in bringing forward the Partnership’s workstreams; the aims of the MCI Partnership,  a key element in the Council’s Business Plan; the additional funding that had been secured as part of the funding; how the Council and partners were liaising with families to ensure a smooth transition to Wiltshire from overseas bases; and that a further update should be given to Cabinet in 2-3 years’ timefollowing the rebasing programme.

Resolved

(i)         To confirm its support for the MCI Programme, and to endorse the approach being taken to delivering the MCI Workstreams set out by the MCI Board.

(ii)        To, in particular, note:

a)    The progress and way forward on the Army Basing Programme.

b)   The Wiltshire’s Armed Forces Community Covenant (agreed in August 2011) and the success in drawing down significant grant funding to support local integration projects.

c)    The completion of the Defence College of Technical Training at Lyneham.

d)   The continued co-operation with the MOD in identifying and progressing the opportunities that military presence can bring to boost the economy of Wiltshire.

Reason for Decision

The Military has a significant presence in Wiltshire, and the nature of this presence will change dramatically over the coming years.  It is important that the Council recognises the impacts that military presence will have on Wiltshire, both in terms of the opportunities that this will offer for economic growth, and the preparations that the Council is required to make to ensure that the needs of everyone in Wiltshire are met.  Cabinet is invited to recognise the achievements that have already been made with the support of the MCI Partnership, such as the progress on a Defence College of Technical Training at the former RAF Lyneham Site, the Army Basing programme and establishment of the Higher Futures programme, while acknowledging that there will be further challenges ahead, whose successful resolution will require the support of the Council working closely with the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and other partners.