Veterans Advisory and Pensions Committee - Members to 12 of 13 Regions

Announced

Body:	UK Vets - MoD
Appointing Department:	Ministry of Defence
Sectors:	Communities, Defence, Health and Social Care
Location:	Various regions as detailed on attachment
Number of Vacancies:	Number varies according to region
Remuneration:	These are voluntary posts however reasonable travel and subsitence expenses may be paid.
Time Requirements:	Expected to attend 2 to 4 Committee meetings per year plus time given for casework according to need.

Announcement

An announcement has been made on the outcome of this appointment.

The Minister for Defence People and Veterans appoints 53 members across various regions detailed below:

All new appointees take up a 3 year term from 18 March 2020 to 17 March 2023

East Midlands
George Ellison
Andrew Holt
Thomas Smith
Michael Whitehead
Samantha Wileman

East Scotland
Michael McCourt
Donald Prentice

Eastern
Ruth Bell
Paul Findlay
Andrew Stephenson

London
Heather Betts
Wendy Morris
Matthew Seward
Matthew Woolgar-Toms

North East
Sean Cockburn
Sheila Crosby
Laurie McLeman
Michael Potts
Peter Sinclair
Mark Steed
Mark Thirlwell
Alasdair Watson

Northern Ireland
Kingsley Donaldson
Blair Mayne

South West
Anica Alvarez-Nishio
Hamilton Elliott
Nigel Lewis
Vaughan Magor
Andrew Ottaway
David Wood

Wales
Thomas Hall
Lisa Rawlings
Arfon Williams

West Midlands
John Atherton
Mary Carter
Raymond Griffiths
Sylvia Parkin

West Scotland
Audrey Cuthbertson
William Lindsay
Caroline Robertson

Yorks and Humber
Duncan Bell
Alex Bentley
Tim Cole
Steven Griffiths
Adrian Hunt
Terry Reilly
Helen Singleton
Alan Skidmore
John Topping

Interviews for the South East region took place in June 2020 and The Minister for Defence People and Veterans has appointed the following 4 new members to the South East Veterans Advisory and Pensions Committee.
The appointment will last for 3 years and will take effect from 28 September 2020 until 27 September 2023. 

Mr Graham Cable
Mr Amran Hussain
Ms Kate Steel
Mr James Partridge

Date: 15/10/2020

View Announcement

Campaign Timeline

Competition Launched

02/08/2019
Closed for Applications

13/10/2019
Panel Sift

Varies according to region
Final Interview Date

Varies according to region
Announcement

15/10/2020 at 12:00

Vacancy Description

The Minister for Defence Personnel and Veterans is seeking to make the above voluntary public appointments. The appointments will be for a term of 3 years. Are you the person we need, do you have the skills, and would you like the opportunity to develop them further? If the answer is “Yes”, please apply as below:

Functions

The Veterans Advisory & Pensions Committee is a Non-Departmental Public Body divided into 13 regional committees. Each Committee’s main functions are to:

act as advocates for implementing the Armed Forces Covenant (https://www.gov.uk/the-armed-forces-covenant) and work in partnership with local authorities and other stakeholders to develop and deliver associated measures associated measures within the region
raise awareness, within their region, of the Armed Forces Covenant and associated issues, the War Pension Scheme, Armed Forces Compensation Scheme, the Veterans Welfare Service and the availability of cross-Government support to the Armed Forces, their families and Veterans
assist veterans and their families in accessing local support services and to provide assistance and guidance to individuals in accessing the War Pension Scheme and Armed Forces Compensation Scheme. To provide an independent element to the Veterans UK complaints process relating to those schemes. https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/veterans-uk
based on their involvement in the wider process and their contact with individuals in the local areas, act as a conduit for local consultation by Ministers, the Ministry of Defence and the Veterans UK on issues affecting recipients of a pension/compensation from the War Pension and Armed Forces Compensation Schemes. http://www.veteranstransition.co.uk/vtrreport.pdf

Responsibilities and Skills

The VAPC Chairperson and members play a central role in promoting the interests and welfare of Veterans and their families https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/veterans-advisory-and-pensions-committees-x13. The committees meet between 2 and 4 times per year and members are expected to be involved in a wide range of activities, between these relating to the delivery of the functions of the committee set out above.

Person Specification

Candidates will need to demonstrate the following:

Essential

an ability to contribute to a committee setting;
good all-round communication skills and be able to consider complex issues.
an ability to look ahead and work with others to develop practical plans.
an understanding of the Government’s commitment to veterans as set out in the Armed Forces Covenant.
a real commitment to supporting Veterans and their Families

Desirable

some experience or knowledge of service pensions and/or compensation schemes in terms of policy impact.
a knowledge of service life

A Public Appointment will give you a chance to:

help make decisions that affect people’s lives
help make a difference and change things for the better in the public interest
contribute your skills, expertise and experience for the benefit of society
develop new skills, learn about new subjects and enhance your confidence
meet a new range of people in different walks of life
develop your career, for example, by gaining public sector board experience
refocus your career, for example, if you have returned from a career break or maternity/paternity leave
generally, give something back and contribute to the delivery of the highest quality of public services in the public interest

Additional Information

See attachment ‘Annexe A’ for a list of the regions that are currently recruiting for new members. Please note that Members are NOT being sought in North-West Region.

Sift panel members will vary from region to region but the panel will always contain at least:

A representative of the Ministry of Defence
An external or Independent Member

Full sift and interview dates will be confirmed in due course.

How to Apply

All candidates should complete the attached Expression of Interest making it clear as to which region(s) they are applying to join. This form should be submitted as an email attachment along with a copy of the attached Diversity Information form and your most recent CV to DBSCivPers-ResNONSTDAPPTS@mod.gov.uk quoting ref: 23858

For full information about the requirements of the posts please read the attached Information Pack as well as the details in Annexe A. Applicants may also wish to submit the Guaranteed Interview Declaration should they wish to be considered under the GIS.

Attachments

This post is regulated by The Commissioner for Public Appointments

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