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The decisions as the council's minutes record them. A plain-language summary follows once it has been written.
RESOLVED to note the presentation and support the Service Pupil Promise Project and its rollout within RCT Council.
RESOLVED to note the update.
RESOLVED to note the presentation and receive a revised War Memorial Policy at a future meeting following consideration of the comments and observations made by Members.
RESOLVED to note the update and receive a revised War Memorial Policy at a future meeting.
The Chair welcomed all Members and Officers to the Armed Forces Working Group Committee meeting. No apologies for absence were received.
In accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct, there were no declaration of interest pertaining to the agenda.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED to note the presentation and support the Service Pupil Promise Project and its rollout within RCT Council.
Members received a presentation from representatives of SSCE Cymru in relation to the potential for RCT Council to host a Service Pupil Promise event. Members were advised that the initiative had already been successfully delivered in Pembrokeshire, Bridgend and Neath Port Talbot and provided an opportunity for service children to contribute directly towards the development of a local authority pledge based upon their lived experiences. RS informed Members that there are currently 29 schools within RCT identified as having service children, with approximately 92 service children currently known across the County Borough. Also, that five schools had already achieved Armed Forces Friendly School status, with further schools progressing through the scheme. Details were provided regarding the format of the event, which would consist of a range of pupil voice workshops designed to gather the views of service children and identify ways in which support could be further strengthened. Furthermore, that funding was available to support delivery of the event and that a provisional date had been identified should the Council wish to proceed. The Chair welcomed the proposal and reflected upon the success of the recent Month of the Military Child event held at Rhondda Heritage Park. Members noted the positive feedback received following the event and supported the principle of continuing to strengthen engagement with service children across the County Borough. Members discussed the challenges associated with identifying service children within schools and welcomed confirmation that Welsh Government had recently expanded the definition of a service child, which would assist future identification and support arrangements. Following consideration of the presentation and discussion thereon, Members RESOLVED to note the presentation and support the Service Pupil Promise Project and its rollout within RCT Council.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED to note the update.
On behalf of the Armed Forces Liaison Officer, Members received an update from the Corporate Policy and Consultation Manager in respect of current Armed Forces initiatives and projects being delivered across Rhondda Cynon Taf and Merthyr Tydfil. Members were advised of the launch of a dedicated Veterans Advice Line, providing a single point of contact for veterans, family members and support organisations, and that the new system would improve referral management and enable better monitoring of enquiries received. An update was provided in relation to Armed Forces Day 2026, which Members were advised had been successful, receiving positive feedback from attendees and the wider community. Members were reminded of the forthcoming unveiling of the Treorchy War Memorial on 12 July 2026 and were provided with details of arrangements for the event. An update was also provided in relation to the Veterans Hub operating from Ynysangharad War Memorial Park. Members were advised that attendance continued to grow and that further work would be undertaken to encourage engagement and additional activities. The Committee received information regarding the forthcoming Festival of Remembrance and Veterans Awards, including nominations submitted from across Rhondda Cynon Taf in recognition of the work undertaken by individuals and veterans’ groups. Members discussed the importance of governance arrangements for veterans’ groups and acknowledged the value of ensuring that appropriate constitutions and governance structures were in place where applicable. The Chair reiterated the Council’s commitment to supporting veterans and Armed Forces communities throughout the County Borough and welcomed continued partnership working with local organisations and support groups. Following discussions, Members RESOLVED to note the update.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED to note the presentation and receive a revised War Memorial Policy at a future meeting following consideration of the comments and observations made by Members.
Members received a presentation from the Heritage Memorials and Historic Monuments Officer inrespect of the ongoing War Memorial Digitisation Project and associated memorial initiatives throughout the RCT. Members were advised that significant progress continued to be made in relation to the digitisation project, with nine war memorials currently live on the Council’s website and over 1,700 names available for public viewing. Also, that further memorials were currently undergoing translation and final checks prior to publication. RS reported that additional external funding had been secured to support the digitisation of military artefacts held within the Council’s collections, and that a number of artefacts were currently being photographed and digitally preserved, including the creation of three-dimensional images where appropriate. The Officer highlighted the discovery of several previously unidentified Rolls of Honour and advised that these would now be incorporated into the wider digitisation programme. Updates were also provided in relation to the Porth War Memorial, the Treorchy Roll of Honour Memorial, plans for the relocation of the Tonypandy War Memorial, the Harry Dobson Memorial Project and the development of a Council-wide War Memorial Policy. Members welcomed the substantial progress that had been made and commended the Officer for the extensive work undertaken to preserve and promote the military heritage of Rhondda Cynon Taf. Members raised concerns regarding inappropriate use of war memorials and suggested that suitable guidance and public awareness measures be included within the proposed War Memorial Policy. Members also highlighted the importance of engaging local communities, schools, veterans’ organisations and community councils in future memorial projects. Following discussions, Members RESOLVED to note the presentation and receive a revised War Memorial Policy at a future meeting following consideration of the comments and observations made by Members.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED to note the update and receive a revised War Memorial Policy at a future meeting.
The Corporate Policy and Consultation Manager advised Members that the War Memorial Policy would be revisited in light of the comments and observations made during consideration of the previous agenda item. Members RESOLVED to note the update and receive a revised War Memorial Policy at a future meeting.
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