THE ROYAL AIR FORCES ASSOCIATION

MINUTES OF THE EUROPEAN AREA AUTUMN CONFERENCE HELD ON SATURDAY 5 OCTOBER 2013 IN THE PENINSULA HOTEL,GUERNSEY AT 1000 HOURS

______Present: RAFA/MM2/6 & RAFA/MM3/4

Area Council

His Excellency Air Marshal P Walker President Air Marshal Sir Christopher Coville Life Vice-President Doctor B Pattison Life Vice-President Mr B Flowers Vice-President Mr M O’Connell Vice-President Mr R Hunt Chairman Mr M Mason Vice-Chairman Mr P Clarke Elected Member Dr L Salvoni Elected Member Mr B Darke Central Council Representative

Guest Speaker

Major General J Moore-Bick General Secretary, The Forces Pension Society

Delegates

Miss E van Gilst Amsterdam Delegate - 1077 Group Captain R Whittingham Belgian Delegate - 0645 Doctor L Salvoni Costa del Sol Delegate - 1342 Mr J Francis Germany Delegate - 1285 Mr M Le Cocq Guernsey Delegate - 0597 Mr M Watts Jersey Delegate - 0487 Mr C Eliot Luxembourg Delegate - 1303 Mr S Brady Lyon Delegate - 1279 Mr C Pilling Malta GC Delegate - 0293 Mr S Lemon North Costa Blanca Delegate - 1360 Mr J Connolly Republic of Ireland Delegate - 0823 Mrs B Dennett Stannard Sud-Ouest Delegate - 1108 Mr A Dardelin Swiss Delegate - 1024 Mr P Snelgrove The Hague Delegate - 1078

Mr S V Martin Secretary

Branches not represented: Athens, Aphrodite, Apollo, Costa Blanca, French Riviera, Ile-de-France, Norwegian

In attendance: 40 members and visitors

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1 The official dedication of the Royal Air Forces Association was read by Doctor Lawrence Salvoni, Elected Member. We also remembered those of the nations of our members and visitors here today who had died in the service of their countries. Silent tribute was also paid to those members and friends who had passed away since the last Area Conference on 10 May 2013 in Eastbourne, remembering especially, very fondly, Mr Robert Gauci of the Malta GC Branch – an RAF Association man, through and through. He did much for the European Area over many years serving as Area Chairman for several stints as well as Vice-Chairman and Vice- President on numerous occasions. He was sadly missed..

ITEM 1 - CHAIRMAN’S OPENING REMARKS

2 The Chairman welcomed everybody to the European Area’s Autumn Conference and in particular His Excellency Air Marshal Peter Walker our European Area President. The Chairman also warmly welcomed Lynda Walker. The Chairman continued by welcoming Major General John Moore-Bick, General Secretary of The Forces Pension Society who would be telling us about the work of the Society later in the agenda. Air Marshal Philip Sturley, past National President, was also welcomed as was his wife, Micheline. Air Marshal Sir Christopher Coville and Doctor Bryan Pattison, both Area Life Vice-Presidents, were warmly welcomed as were all Area Councillors, especially Mr Mick O’Connell and Doctor Lawrence Salvoni who were sitting on Area Council for the first time. Finally, the 14 delegates to the Area Conference were made most welcome as were all the wonderful visitors. It was disappointing that 7 of the Area’s Branches had not found it possible to be with us today.

3 The Chairman reminded Conference that there were 20 items on the agenda, which would provide opportunities to discuss some important issues, and that only delegates could vote using the green cards provided by the Secretary.

4 Finally, the Chairman gave many thanks to the Guernsey Branch for arranging the Conference weekend. It took months of hard work to make all the arrangements, so, well done, particularly to Mick O’Connell and his small, dedicated team of helpers. Many thanks were also given to His Excellency who most kindly hosted last night’s excellent Reception and supper in Government House. They were all applauded.

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ITEM 2 – AREA PRESIDENT’ S ADDRESS

5 His Excellency Air Marshal Peter Walker gave a warm welcome to everyone and trusted that the weather would be kind to us – whilst he, as Lieutenant-Governor, was responsible for most things on the Island, it was the Bailiff who was responsible for the weather!

6 There would be many interesting discussions during this Conference and he encouraged everyone to take part. The RAF would be having difficult times ahead and RAFA would have an important part to play in supporting the Service. Finally, His Excellency wished everyone a successful Conference.

ITEM 3 - APOLOGIES OF ABSENCE

7 The Chairman had received the following apologies of absence:

Air Marshal Sir Christopher Harper (SVP) owing to Service commitments. His Deputy, Air Cdre Sean Corbett could also not be with us. Air Marshal Graham Stacey was also away on Service duty. Hopefully, one of them would be able to be with us in Blackpool next May.

Air Vice-Marshal Neville Howlett (LVP)

Air Vice-Marshal Peter Liddell Past Chairman of Central Council and the Executive Committee owing to a family bereavement.

Flight Lieutenant ‘Spike’ Milligan (RAFALO Representative) owing to Service commitments. He hoped to be with us in Blackpool next year.

Mr Mike McCourt (Overseas Welfare Officer) owing to ill-health.

Mrs P Distin Secretary of the Costa Blanca Branch.

Mr Mike Townsend Chairman of the French Riviera Branch.

Mr Graham Scott Secretary of the Ile-de-France Branch.

Mr Tony Abela Secretary of the Malta GC Branch but would be represented by Mr Colin Pilling.

Colonel Knut Fossum Secretary of the Norwegian Branch.

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Mr Theo Oosterveen Chairman of The Hague Branch but would be represented by Mr Philip Snelgrove.

ITEM 4 - MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS CONFERENCE

8 The Minutes of the previous Conference held in Eastbourne on 10 May 2013 were proposed by the Germany Branch delegate, seconded by the Luxembourg Branch delegate and were accepted unanimously as a true record.

ITEM 5 - MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

9 There was one matter arising from the previous Minutes at Item 10, paragraph 48 on page 17. The Secretary General had undertaken to task the new Director of Welfare (DW), Mr Rory O’Connor, with investigating the whole subject of welfare training for the Overseas Branches. This had been done and DW’s report on the matter was expected by the end of the year. It was expected to look favourably at recommending that some welfare training would be undertaken outside the UK in Europe. It was hoped that DW would be with us at our Conference in Blackpool.

Secretary’s Note. Mr Rory O’Connor (DW) had accepted the Area Council’s invitation to be the guest speaker at the European Area’s Annual Conference in Blackpool on Friday, 16 May 2014.

ITEM 6 - REPORT BY AREA COUNCIL GIVEN BY CHAIRMAN

10 The Chairman’s Report was enclosed at Attachment 1. However, membership statistics have been extracted and repeated in the main body of the Minutes below.

11 Membership The European Area’s membership statistics, as at 4 October 2013, were as follows:

‘Total Membership as at 31 Dec 12 2719 Current total Membership as at 4 Oct 13 2559 Comprising: Number of Life/Ordinary Members 1853 Number of Full Associates 706

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Including: Number of new Ordinary Members joined in 2013, so far 36 Number of Full Associates joined in 2013, so far 56 Number of lapsed Ordinary Members (from 2012) 71 Number of lapsed Full Associates (from 2012) 68 Number of Life/Ordinary Members deceased in 2013, so far 68 Number of Full Associates deceased in 2013, so far 9

The Area still had a fairly large number of lapsed Ordinary members 71, so everyone was urged to try hard to recover as many of these people as possible, as well as our lapsed Associates (68). We were still 160 (5.7%) members behind last year’s final total – so to meet Central Council’s target of no more than a 2% decrease, we needed to find at least another 102 members before the end of the year from recruitment and the recovery of lapsed members. This figure did not take into account the passing on of members between now and 31 December. So, we really had a major task in front of us over the next 12 weeks, but the Chairman was sure that we were up to the challenge – LET’S GO FOR IT!’

ITEM 7 – REPORT BY SERVICE VICE-PRESIDENT

12 The Chairman reminded Conference that our Service Vice-President (SVP), Air Marshal Sir Christopher Harper was unable to be with us today. However, Air Marshal Sir Christopher Coville had kindly agreed to say a few words about the current Royal Air Force. . 13 There had been a massive impact of technology since the abacus and slide rule! New technology moving forward had had a major impact on information gathering enabling better military operations and decision making. The challenge was to turn the data into useable information. Combat ISTAR was an essential part of all elements of airpower, all to provide information. This was particularly important as the size of the RAF was getting smaller necessitating the need for better information. Such equipment included the RAPTOR pod, Sentinel, AWACS E3D and RIVET JOINT (a bizarre USA name for ELINT) – all of which were providing vital information which could

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then be matched to our excellent weapons. These being: Stormshadow; Brimstone; Meteor (a long range missile); ASRAAM and Paveway laser-guided bombs. Although the size of the RAF was reducing, modern technology gave us a greater capability.

14 Sir Christopher then went on to discuss the change in support services. For example, the days of a Cranwell cadet being met at Grantham station, being kitted out and fed in an RAF-manned environment were gone with most drivers, clothing store personnel and catering staff now being civilians. Likewise, the introduction of the Voyager aircraft (A330) at RAF Brize Norton was being supported largely by civilian personnel. Consequently, civilianisation was having a major effect on the size, shape and character of the RAF – this clearly had implications for RAFA.

15 Finally, Sir Christopher gave the following headlines:

Typhoons had been deployed to Cyprus because of the Syria crisis. VC 10 being withdrawn and replaced with A330 Voyager. Merlin helicopter being withdrawn (after 16 years service) from Afghanistan and being transferred to the Royal Marines. Chinook would remain as the RAF’s large helicopter. 617 Sqn, Tornados, to undertake last tour to Afghanistan and then temporarily disbanding forming again in 2016 as the first F35 Sqn at RAF Marham. The new CAS was Air Chief Marshal Sir Andrew Pulford ( the first helicopter man to hold this top post) RAF conducting a lot more work with French Air Force (the 2 Air Forces, the only 2 European countries with a global view, were currently engaged on a joint air exercise).

16 The Chairman thanked Sir Christopher for his most informative briefing on the Royal Air Force. Mr Terry Dennett (Sud-Ouest Branch) commented that Community Support had recently issued to RAFALOs and RAFA, a comprehensive, useful and interesting briefing document on day-to-day RAF issues, and he hoped that it would be repeated. The Area Director confirmed that such briefing documents would be issued regularly and that he, as last time, would forward copies to Branches.

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ITEM 8– REPORT BY CENTRAL COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE

17 The Central Council Representative, Mr Brian Darke, stated that his report would be in 3 parts – the past, the present and the future.

18 The past concerned the cost of membership. We had been told over 3 years that membership was costing too much with an annual deficit of about £660K and that there were several well documented reasons for this. But now we had another message. Mr Darke then read out extracts from 2 papers, the first jointly from the Membership Lead Group and the General Purposes Committee (GPC), the other from the Director Finance and IT (DFIT). From the first paper:

‘ Thanks are due to DFIT for an excellent paper, which clarifies many areas of previous concern. In particular it is noted that the allocation of costs for ‘membership’ is an inexact activity that has little, or no, overall value to the clarity of the annual financial position. DFIT has discussed his paper with the Auditors who confirm that the only figure that has relevance is the Association’s ‘bottom line’; strict allocation of costs to internal activities adds no value in accountancy terms; and any % distribution figure would always be open to challenge. Colleagues will be aware that our ‘bottom line’ is positive. DFIT also makes the point that membership, comradeship and friendship are intrinsically welfare activities and that membership is a function of the Charity. An added advantage of this approach is also that the indicated % of income allocated to welfare activities in the Annual Report would increase. The point made that bequests are essentially donations from members and could therefore be construed as membership income, is of interest. The logic from this is that the total membership income is hugely greater than the perceived membership expenditure. In general the points made within the paper indicate that it is difficult, if not impossible, to accurately determine the cost of membership; and that there is no accounting reason to continue to attempt to provide the level of granularity previously sought. The effort to do so adds no value to the Association’s work - from accountancy and Charity Commission points of view all that is important is the ‘bottom line’, and that is satisfactory. The Membership Group agree with this view, and no contrary views were expressed by the GPC, and it is therefore recommended to the Central Council that membership fees should continue to increase as presently stipulated – by the RPI rate ‘.

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Extracts from the DFIT’s paper:

‘ The object, for which the Association is established is to promote, through comradeship engendered by its members, the welfare by charitable means of all serving and former members of Our Air Forces, their spouses and dependants, together with the widows and widowers and dependants of those who died whilst serving or subsequently. 1 Introduction. In the December 2012 financial accounts the cost of servicing membership was £1.338M. Membership subscriptions for the period were £649K, therefore membership was being subsidised by £689K and this significant deficit had to be addressed. The logic appears straightforward; however, it is flawed. The annual accounts and format are a statutory financial reporting requirement and are inaccurate for use in many decision-making purposes. In this paper I will provide some technical background, cover the accounting and reporting weaknesses with this approach, the case for separating membership costs from the annual report and for taking into consideration the contribution outside of subscriptions made by members including Life members.

3 Accounting weaknesses. In 2010 a number of assumptions were made to reflect the effort spent on delivering RAFA’s activities. These assumptions were quickly put together and were carried forward to the 2012 accounts…………………….

7 Membership Benefits. In 2012 the value of legacies received from Life members was £383K; the value from members was £812K. A separate costing exercise showed that £2.074M (80%) of fundraising income came from the membership; the data gathering is not mature enough to show a breakdown showing the Life members’ contribution. The income received in 2012 from members i.e subscriptions, fundraising and legacies gives a total of £3.957M. Using 65,500 members as a baseline, then the average income for 2012 generated per member is £60.41 (£3.957M/65,000(sic))

8 The RAFA aim is “…to promote through the comradeship engendered by its members, welfare……….” and it appears in the annual report that we are not fully recognising the comradship/friendship element. Every member, club, Branch promotes comradeship/friendship and this is a charitable

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deliverable integral to our aims. It is linked to welfare and it prevents more demanding welfare needs. Reporting on this basis in the annual accounts will move membership costs out of the microscope of the published accounts and into focused management reports and accounts.

9 Is membership being subsidised by RAFA? Including the legacy benefit from our members and members contribution to fundraising, it appears not’ ‘.

Mr Darke would forward copies of both papers to the Area Secretary for inclusion with the Conference Minutes. They were given at Attachments 2 and 3 respectively.

19 The present concerned Recovery Pathway. In 2012 RAFA funded (£35K) the post of the ‘RAF Wounded, Injured and Sick, Specialist Employment Consultant (WIS SEC). This post had been so successful that the RAF had asked if RAFA would be prepared to fund the post for a further 2 years – full details were given in the letter at Attachment 4. At their meeting on 31 August 2013, Central Council agreed to fund the post of RAF WIS SEC for a further 2 years.

20 The future concerned the RAF 100 Appeal. The RAF’s Centenary (RAF 100) would be on 1 April 2018. Part of the activities leading up to and surrounding this event would be an appeal run collectively by the RAF Charities – the objectives being:

To increase awareness and the profile of the RAF and RAF Charities and their work.

To raise funds for specific headline projects and RAF Charities’ other work.

To advance the understanding of RAF history through the promotion and protection of RAF heritage.

To assist the provision of RAF 100 celebratory events.

To improve our knowledge and database of the wider RAF family for future charitable (both beneficiary and fundraising) purposes.

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Mr Darke provided a paper on the RAF 100 Appeal which had been given at Attachment 5.

21 There was a question and answer session started by the Area Chairman. He stated that he was still confused about membership costs. On the one hand a remaining deficit of some £200K was being quoted at the Centre, whereas the GPC paper inferred that membership was cost neutral - this needed to be rationalised.

22 Observations and questions continued with Mrs Dennett Stannard (Sud-Ouest Delegate) stating that when as Chair of the Internal Audit Committee (IAC), she had cautioned the Trustees on the subject of legacy income being unpredictable and that it was dangerous to assume that such income was always going to be there. Air Cdre Ferenczy (President, North Costa Blanca) said that all appeared to be ‘lies, damn lies and statistics’ and ‘smoke and mirrors’ – when were we going to get a definitive answer to the membership cost situation? Mr Darke (Central Council Rep) responded that as Trustees it was the intention to do so and he would push for this – we were there to represent the members. His Excellency, the Area President, informed the Conference that there was to be a meeting of the National President with Area Chairmen in November (19th) and that the Area Council had asked the Area Chairman to indicate our lack of confidence in the Centre. Mr Robertson (Swiss Branch) reminded everyone that the last Annual Conference had asked for a definitive report on this subject to be forth coming at the Blackpool Conference in 2014 which would no doubt cover all the points recently raised and covered. Doctor Pattison (Area LVP, Vice Chairman Central Council) informed the Conference that Trustees did not always agree with the staff and that there was sometimes mis-communication. He had been tasked by the National President to prepare a paper on communication within RAFA and was expected to present the paper at the October meeting of Central Council with the hope to make it easier to get information around the bazaars. Mr Sean Brady (Lyon Branch delegate) said that we had been told that the £660K deficit would attract Charity Commission attention – had this now subsided? Mr Hunt (Area Chairman) said that the deficit had not been challenged and had now been deflated by the DFIT paper – the worry had now been reduced. Group Captain Whittingham (Belgian Branch delegate) broadened the issue by mentioning that there had been no mention of the ‘2020 Vision’ paper. Annual

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Conference had taken no decisions and National Annual Conference should be structured to allow such decisions to be made. He asked that Area Council put this forward to the Centre for this to happen. Decisions needed to be made on the ‘2020 Vision’ paper so that matters could be pushed forward.

ACTION: Area Chairman

The Chairman thanked Mr Darke for his report and everyone who had entered into the spirited discussions.

ITEM 9 – REPORT BY RAFALO REPRESENTATIVE

23 The Area’s RAFALO Representative, Flight Lieutenant Milligan was not able to be with us this weekend owing to Service commitments. However, he had forwarded his report to the Area Director who had enclosed a copy to the Minutes at Attachment 6.

ITEM 10 – PRESENTATION BY GUEST SPEAKER – MAJOR GENERAL JOHN MOORE-BICK, GENERAL SECRETARY OF THE FORCES PENSION SOCIETY

24 The Chairman introduced Major General John Moore-Bick, the General Secretary of The Forces Pension Society.

25 Major General Moore-Bick thanked the European Area and his Chairman (Air Marshal Sir Christopher Coville) for inviting him here today. He explained that had The Forces Pension Society not been formed in 1946, it would certainly have been called into life by the last few years of unprecedented public sector pension reform. The Forces Pension Society was not a charity but a Limited Company and a not-for-profit membership society with a charitable arm. The Society campaigned on behalf of all ranks of all Services and their dependants to maximise the benefits of the Armed Forces Pension Schemes (AFPS) and their standard of administration. The Society was well grafted into the Services’ chains of command. The Society’s operating environment was Whitehall, Westminster, the relevant government agencies and contractors, and worked in the 3 dimensions of time. The past dimension comprised legacy issues for those left in the lurch by changing social attitudes and out of date

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rules. The present dimension concerned giving advice to individuals and to those with guardianship of the schemes in the MOD. The future dimension comprised the framing of new schemes and watching over public sector pension policy as it unfolded. The Society offered through life affinity arrangements to make membership attractive and in the end there was nobody else who could speak independently on behalf of the Armed Forces Pension Community.

26 Major General Moore-Bick then proceeded to detail the day-to-day workings of the Society – main points of which were given in the following paragraphs.

27 What did that mean in practice?

- Education and explanation – 20,000 contacts a year. - Advice – 7,000 cases a year. - Maintaining a national profile. - Marketing and recruiting – 6,000 new members. - Running a small business - £750K.

28 Education and Explanation.

- 153 Road shows to Units last year. - 73 Financial Aspects of resettlement briefings under contract to CTP (Career Transition Partnership). - 20 Table top displays at major events and CTP employment fairs. - Magazine articles for political and resettlement audiences – average of 3 a month.

29 Two Pension Schemes in force now. AFPS 75 and AFPS 05:

- Both roughly equivalent in value. - Both are non-contributory and defined benefit. - But big differences between them. (See paragraphs 30 and 31 below). - Commanders should be aware of both schemes.

30 AFPS 75 made easy.

- Full career (Max) pension (55). - Immediate pensions (37/40). - Preserved pension (60/65). - Resettlement grant (which was technically not part of the pension). 12

- Also: - - Invaliding pension. - - Dependants’ Benefits – 3 times annual pensionable salary.

31 AFPS 05 made easy.

- Normal retirement age (55). - Preserved pension (65) - Early departure payments (40+) (which were technically not part of the pension) - Resettlement grant (which was technically not part of the pension). - Also: - - Ill-health benefits - - Dependants’ benefits – 4 times annual pensionable salary.

32 Did you know?

- Retiring in March meant many £1000s worse off than those retiring the previous April. - It might be better to retire just before 55 – you were better off over a pension lifetime leaving at 54 years and 11months (AFPS 05 only). The Society could advise. - And…. The vast majority of widows lose their pension if they remarry or co-habit.

33 Complex Issues.

- Pension sharing on divorce. - First pension increments. - Preserved pension – disability during retirement. - Redundancy.

34 New pension scheme in 2015 (AFPS 15).

- New Pension Calculator available for AFPS 15. - As good as it got in an era of austerity. - One scheme for all – including Reservists. - No personal contributions from salary - A pension accrual rate of 1/47th for all. - Benefits earned under the new scheme while serving would be increased annually by an Average Earnings index.

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- This is not easy: If you wanted to know exactly what all this meant for you, join The Forces Pension Society. - www.forcespensionsociety.org

35 What’s in it for me? Pension Advisory Service.

- Expert advice from Lt Cdr David Marsh RN and Mary Tetley. - For FPS members wherever they were in the world. - Full answers to e-mail requests for assistance. - Major issues staffed and MOD agencies engaged on your behalf. - Assistance with formal complaints (through IDRP).

36 Daily business for your Pension Advisory Service.

For Members only – must join first!

- Pension forecasting. - New pension scheme. - Verification of SPVA forecasted benefits. - Pension sharing on divorce. - Redundancy.

37 Higher level activity.

- Campaigning into the political sphere of Parliament and Government. - Hence, working for the benefit of all of the armed forces community, not just Society members. - Have all the right contacts to make a fuss. - Keep in close contact with journalists and editors by providing information briefings. - Keep on friendly, but not too friendly, terms with the Opposition, to hedge our bets! - Try to get every opportunity to write in Parliamentary journals and magazines to keep the Society’s profile as high as possible at little expense. - Current campaign concerned ‘Justice for Widows’(there were presently some 10 classes of military widows!). The Society’s Chairman (Air Marshal Sir Christopher Coville) had just written to The Rt Hon Francois MP, Minister for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans, to press for action.

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38 The Society as a membership society.

- Had to work hard at getting people to join us. - Comprehensive advertising strategy, with adverts regularly revised and updated. - Covered most magazines and journals in the Service community as well as on radio and television by courtesy of a vibrant relationship with BFBS. - Fairly successful over last 5 years but a lot of members lost who joined for short term advice and then left. For example, last year 6000 members in, but 4000 members out. - Aimed at the sandwich generation and those that were still serving. - 75% of members were under 50. - Members Benefits: - - FPS Travel. - - FPS Health. - - FPS Personal. - - FPS Motoring. - - FPS Legal & Financial. - - Wills & Probate. - - Bookshop. - - Airport parking. - - Introduction Service. - - Money Transfer. - - Pennant (The Society’s journal, twice a year). - - e-Newsletters (6 a year).

39 FPS Website (www.forpen.co.uk)

- 9,000 visitors a month on average. - Average time spent on site was over 5 minutes. - Main referring sites were: Google, PPRuNe, ARRSE, Rum Ration, armynet.mod and raf.mod - Most-visited pages were: ‘Pensions Explained’, ‘Members Benefits’ and ‘Pensions Quiz’. - Join Online to receive a £100 Worldwide City Break Voucher.

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40 Business Aspect of the Society.

- An Away Day and 4 Council meetings a year. - Reviewed all that the Society did to ensure had a valid role, a credible strategy, a workable business model and financially viable. - Chairman and 3 other Trustees form the FPS Charitable Trust for those who wished to foster the work of the Society, especially those who had often been mightily helped by the Society, by giving donations and legacies for the work of the FPS.

41 Summary.

- Complete independence from the MOD. - Vigorous engagement with Parliament, Ministers, chain of command and officials to ensure AFPS as good as possible. - No other organisation had sole purpose of protecting occupational pension interests of Armed Services.

42 Question and Answer Session. The Society’s Chairman, Air Marshal Sir Christopher Coville, stressed how important it was to join up. Eighty per cent of men died before their wives leaving wives often in a difficult situation and who often did not know where to turn. Another example of the Society’s proactive work was during the recent banking crisis in Cyprus where pensions might have continued to be paid into affected banks and hence ‘lost’. The FPS was able to step in and made sure that this did not occur. Members’ benefits were excellent and there was a £100 joining-up voucher as mentioned earlier. Sir Christopher hoped that many people would sign up this afternoon. Mr Terry Dennett (Sud-Ouest Branch) commented that he believed that most people would like to receive their pensions gross rather than net. He also mentioned that he had been involved with Parliament over the Pensions’ Bill and wondered how pensions might be affected if the UK left the EU – would they continue to be uplifted? Action: Mr Dennett agreed that he would e- mail the FPS to follow up his 2 queries. In response to a question from Mr Graham Robertson (Swiss Branch) on subscriptions, Major General Moore-Bick replied that there was not a tiered membership subscription structure. There was one membership fee (currently £32 per year) which covered both husband and wife. If the military partner died the other could maintain membership at half the annual rate.

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Mr Charlie Eliot (Luxembourg Branch delegate) asked that as AFPS 15 was quoted as being near the top of pension schemes what schemes were better? Major General Moore-Bick replied ‘MPs and Judges!’ Mr Eliot’s second question concerned retired personnel remarrying post service, which was becoming more common, and the entitlement or not of the widow to claim a part pension. The response was that there was none. However, Mrs Beryl Dennett Stannard (Sud-Ouest Branch delegate) believed this could possibly be challenged as the entitlement would be subject to means testing. Finally, Doctor Bryan Pattison (Area LVP and Swiss Branch Chairman) raised the question that if a military pensioner remarried and then either died or divorced would the first spouse have any claim on the pension? Major General Moore-Bick stated that it was means tested and some might.

43 The Chairman thanked Major General Moore-Bick very much for his most interesting insight into the workings of the FPS.

ITEM 11 – BRANCH REPORTS

44 Seven Branch reports were tabled prior to or at the Conference – Costa del Sol, Ile-de-France, Lyon, North Costa Blanca, Republic of Ireland, Sud-Ouest and Swiss. These reports were given individually at Attachment 7.

ITEM 12 – RESOLUTIONS

45 There were no resolutions. The Chairman reminded delegates and Branches that this was the Conference for discussing resolutions in time for them to be put forward, supported by Area Council, to National Conference the following year. However, Branches still had the right to put their own resolutions direct to National Conference.

ITEM 13 – WELFARE BRIEFING BY MIKE MCCOURT, AREA WELFARE OFFICER

46 Unfortunately, Mr Mike McCourt, Area Welfare Officer, had had to call off being with us this weekend owing to ill-health. However, he had provided us with a briefing document on welfare matters in the European Area – a copy was in the delegates’ folders, and should be read at leisure with delegates passing any queries or observations to the Area Secretary or Mr McCourt. A further copy is at Attachment 8. 17

ITEM 14 – AUTUMN CONFERENCE 2014– UPDATE BY NORTH COSTA BLANCA BRANCH

47 Mr Stephen Lemon (North Costa Blanca Branch delegate) updated the Conference on the arrangements for the 2014 Autumn Conference to be held in the 4-star Melia Hotel, Benidorm over the weekend of 10-12 October 2014. Details of the weekend’s arrangements had been issued to Branches and a further copy was at Attachment 9 to these Minutes. Negotiations were going well and the prices were confirmed. Reservation forms would be sent out shortly to all Branches

ITEM 15 – VENUE OPTIONS FOR THE 2015 AUTUMN CONFERENCE

48 The Chairman informed the Conference that there was one formal bid on the table to host the 2015 European Area Autumn Conference, namely a bid from the Jersey Branch.

49 The Chairman invited Mr Peter Clarke (Vice-Chairman, Jersey Branch and Area Council Elected member) to present their bid. As some of you knew, Jersey was claiming to be the oldest Branch in the world having been formed on 30 October 1925 as the Royal Air Force Association of Jersey. It was very fortunate that the Minutes Book, including the Minutes of the founding meeting, was saved from the skip this year when we had a grand clear out. Mr Clarke had brought those Minutes with him today and they were available for anyone who would care to have a look at them. The Branch had, for some years, considered that such a momentous occasion should be celebrated in a special way, perhaps with a special Guest of Honour. At the Branch’s Diamond Anniversary in October 1985 we were honoured by the presence of HRH Princess Alice.

50 However, the Branch now lacked sufficient numbers of able-bodied veterans to ‘push the boat out’, so to speak. It was then thought that friends and comrades from around the Area might like to celebrate with us and in doing so hold their Autumn Conference at the same time. This might very well be the last occasion that the Branch would be able to celebrate such a milestone. Certainly we might well be too old to put on such an event ever again. The Autumn Conference programme had been passed to Branches through the Area Director in time for Branches to have studied it. The package would follow the usual format. Delegates would be staying at the Radisson Blu Hotel – a very modern hotel situated on the waterfront

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of St Helier overlooking Elizabeth Castle in St Aubins Bay. The Hotel was close to the harbour and bus station and there was ample car parking. The programme of events was discussed and a copy was at Attachment 10. The cost of the package would be £100 per person. Accommodation would be £190 for 2 nights single or £210 for 2 nights per couple. As this seemed quite expensive, the Branch had decided (as it was their 90th anniversary) to sponsor everyone to the sum of £50. Although 2 years hence, the cost of travel would probably be similar to that experienced in getting to Guernsey this weekend. The programme showed that ‘Dress’ for the Gala Dinner was to be announced. However, Mr Clarke had spoken to other members of the Area Council and delegates and the general consensus of opinion was that we should keep with the tradition of Black Tie and Mess Kit. However, if some members wished to wear lounge suit they could. A visit to either the Durrell Wildlife Preservation Park or to the War Tunnels (formerly The Underground Hospital) could be arranged.

51 Delegates were then asked by the Chairman on whether they wished now to decide on the 2015 Conference location. The delegates agreed to this and went to a vote on Jersey as the Conference location for 2015 - the results of the vote were:

For: 14 Against: 0 Abstentions: 0

ACTIONS: All to note that the 2015 Autumn Conference would be hosted by the Jersey Branch over the weekend of 30 October to 1 November 2014. The Jersey Branch was to make the necessary arrangements for this Conference.

The Chairman informed the Conference that the Malta GC Branch had expressed a wish to bid for the 2016 Autumn Conference.

ITEM 16 – PRESENTATION OF EUROPEAN AREA PRESIDENTIAL CERTIFICATES

52 European Area Presidential Certificates were presented by His Excellency Air Marshal Peter Walker to:

a Mr Colin Broad recommended by the Costa Blanca Branch.

b Mr Graham and Mrs Pat Distin recommended by the Costa Blanca Branch. 19

c Warrant Officer Tim Dutton recommended by the Luxembourg Branch.

d Mr Reg Haywood recommended by the former Benalmadena Branch.

His Excellency encouraged Branches to continue to put forward well- deserving candidates for this award.

. ITEM 17 – PRESENTATION OF THE DENNIS EMES SHIELD

53 There had been no nominations for the award of the Dennis Emes Shield for 2013. The Chairman encouraged Branches to put forward well-deserving Life/Ordinary members.

ITEM 18 - ANY OTHER BUSINESS

54 Mr John Francis (Germany Branch delegate) presented a cheque (£39.63) to the Chairman on behalf of the RAF Laarbruch Museum which was to go towards the Germany Branch Wings Appeal.

55 Mr Mick O’Connell (Chairman Guernsey Branch and Area Vice- President) gave out several administrative points concerning the remained of the Conference weekend.

56 Mr John Connolly (Republic of Ireland Branch delegate) raised several issues:

a Mr Jim Kelly was now back to his usual self after a minor illness.

b In these times of austerity should we not being having only one Conference a year. The Chairman said that Mr Kelly (former Area Chairman and former Branch Chairman) knew the situation on this matter. The subject had been discussed several times, especially 2 years ago as a Conference resolution. The delegates decision then was not to change but to maintain the status quo of having 2 Conferences per year.

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c If new members joined later in the year could not their subscriptions be reduced for the reminder of that year. The Chairman reminded everyone that a new member joining after 1 July was given membership valid until the 31 December of the following year (hence, a maximum of 18 months membership).

57 There was no further business, other than the Secretary’s usual notices concerning Conference expenses and the return of Delegates’ voting forms.

ITEM 19 - DATE AND VENUE OF THE NEXT CONFERENCE

58 ACTION: The Secretary was to make arrangements for the next Conference to be held in The Savoy Hotel, Blackpool on Friday 16 May 2014 at 1000 hours. The Area Council would meet the evening before on Thursday 15 May 2013, and the Secretary would provide details for this Council meeting nearer the time.

ITEM 20 - PRESIDENT’S SUMMING UP

59 His Excellency Air Marshal Peter Walker, President of the European Area, started his Conference summing up by thanking Mr Darke (Central Council Representative) for his comprehensive briefing on several very important matters and to all who had taken part in the resultant discussions. However, it was now time to put the ‘Cost of Membership’ behind us and move forward. He thanked Major General Moore-Bick for his briefing on the work of The Forces Pension Society. Air Marshal Sir Christopher Coville had mentioned that current technology was allowing the RAF to be ‘smarter’, and we in the RAF Association also needed to do things ‘smarter’. We needed ideas on how to do things better, this could be done by putting forward resolutions for discussion. We should not just let things happen, we should control matters. Membership retention was very important and membership recruitment was difficult – we needed members to survive as an Association, so His Excellency encouraged everyone to do their utmost to enhance membership.

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Simon Martin 4 November 2013

SV MARTIN Secretary

Attachments (by e-mail):

1 Chairman’s Report. 2 Membership Costs and Contributions Paper by Lead Member for Membership. 3 Membership Costs and Contributions Paper by DFIT. 4 RAF Specialist Employment Consultant – Future Funding. 5 RAF 100 Appeal. 6 Area RAFALO Representative’s Report. 7 Branch Reports (7). 8 Area Welfare Officer’s Report. 9 Programme for 2014 Autumn Conference. 10 Programme for 2015 Autumn Conference.

Distribution:

All Area Council Members; All Delegates; Branch Secretaries; Chairman Central Council, Secretary General; DMO; DW; DFIT; Overseas Area Welfare Officer; Conference Officer (Seb Hargreaves).

Approved: Countersigned: Chairman: Date: Secretary: Date:

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