Agenda item

To receive a presentation on Military Civilian Integration from Guy Benson, Programme Manager Military Civilian integration and Alistair Cunningham , Executive Director Growth, Investment and Place.

Mr Benson introduced himself to the meeting. Wiltshire was his home, he had served 40 years in the army and was now working for Wiltshire Council as the Military Civilian Integration Programme Manager, reporting directly to Alistair Cunningham, Executive Director, Growth, Investment and Place. Unfortunately, Mr Cunningham, who had been planning to attend the meeting, had sent his apologies due to family commitments.

Due to the Novichok incident and then National Armed Forces Day the Military Civilian Integration Programme (MCIP) had taken a back seat. However, Mr Benson was now in the process of reinvigorating the programme. It was admitted that there had been some communication problems, the MCIP were working to resolve these issues and Mr Benson would attend future Area Board meetings.

Slides were shown to the meeting which Mr Benson explained, giving details regarding the MCIP. The aim of the MCIP was to give strategic direction and guidance on all Military matters and activities in Wiltshire. Its roles included fostering good relationships between the military and civilian communities throughout Wiltshire; seeking to maximise the social and economic benefits of the Armed Forces presence within Wiltshire and ensuring that Wiltshire Council responded in a timely and appropriate manner to the impact of MOD changes within Wiltshire.

Details were given regarding the composition of the quarterly MCIP Board which included Cllr Philip Whitehead (Leader, Wiltshire Council), Cllr Richard Clewer (Deputy Leader, Wiltshire Council and MCI Portfolio Holder), Alistair Cunningham (Executive Director, Wiltshire Council) along with several very senior army personnel. It was possible that the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA) and Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership (SWLEP) may also be added to the board as informers, rather than decision makers.

The workstreams of the MCIP were briefly explained to the meeting as summarised below:

It was hoped that they could raise awareness of the Armed Forces Covenant, as there was funding available that could help communities. Cllr Chris Williams was the Champion for the Armed Forces Covenant. 

Rebasing was critical now and the area board would be receiving updates later in the meeting in relation to this. There had been some issues with communities, education, health, dental and highways. However, it was hoped that good communication would unpick these issues. Mr Benson invited people to email him with queries or comments at guy.benson@wiltshire.gov.uk. Mr Benson would ensure that their query got to the right person and got a response.

Mr Benson stated that the situation was challenging but that they were moving in the right direction and would deliver. Mr Benson highlighted the Army Basing Steering Group meeting which he invited councillors to attend.

A representative of Bulford Parish Council addressed the meeting and stated that they now felt happier that issues in Bulford would be addressed. In response to a question from Bulford Parish Council on how you could integrate serving military personnel into parish councils it was stated that there was an MCI task group that were looking at ways of improving integration. 

The Chairman requested that Mr Benson look into a situation regarding a sports field at Boscombe Down that was currently unused. The town council had expressed an interest in the field, however the situation had not moved forward at all. Mr Benson confirmed that he would look into the situation and report back.

The Chairman thanked Mr Benson for his presentation and updates which he felt were a positive step forward.