Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Supporting Communities)

On 16 March 2011 the Secretary of State published the Armed Forces Covenant, setting out the moral obligation between the Nation, Government and the Armed Forces and the general principles that should govern their relationship. The Community Covenant was launched as a key element of the Armed Forces Covenant.

The Community Covenant aims to complement the Armed Forces Covenant at a local level. It is a voluntary statement of mutual support between a local civilian community and its local Armed Forces Community and aims to:

• Encourage local communities and local authorities to support the local Armed Forces Community in their area; promote understanding and awareness of issues affecting veterans and serving personnel; and ensure that the Armed Forces are aware of the support available to them;

• Recognise ways in which the Armed Forces can support the wider community.

Stockport Council is already committed to supporting the Armed Forces. A Council motion in November 2009 confirmed support for the Armed Forces, stating ‘that Stockport Council should, and can, go further in showing our appreciation to the large numbers of local men and women currently serving in our armed forces.’ In addition the Council and many of its public and voluntary sector partners support the national Heroes Welcome Scheme and offer a range of services for serving personnel, veterans and their families.

The Covenant does not intend to replace the current work being carried out by the Council and other public service providers, charities and individuals, but rather formalise a commitment and build on existing sources of support.

The attached draft Covenant Agreement has been jointly drafted and approved by Borough’s Armed Forces Liaison Officer and Regional Headquarters.

The Executive is recommended to:-

·         approve the Covenant Agreement recommend that it be submitted to the

Council Meeting for noting / endorsement;

·         agree that governance of the Covenant Agreement be assigned to the Supporting Communities Portfolio; and

·         agree that a communications plan be developed to support the adoption of the Covenant.

Officer contact: Gaynor Alexander, 0161 474 3186, Gaynor.alexander@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Supporting Communities) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive Meeting to approve an Armed Forces Community Covenant, a local statement of mutual support between the local civilian community and its local Armed Forces community. The Covenant would supplement and formalise the commitment the Council had already made to support veterans and service personnel.

RESOLVED – That

·         the Armed Forces Community Covenant Agreement be approved and that it be submitted to the Council Meeting for endorsement;

·         the governance of the Covenant Agreement be delegated to the Supporting Communities Portfolio;

·         that a communications plan be developed to support the adoption of the Covenant Agreement.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services.

On 16 May 2011 the Secretary of State published the Armed Forces Covenant, setting out the moral obligation between the Nation, Government and the Armed Forces and the general principles that should govern their relationship. The Community Covenant was launched as a key element of the Armed Forces Covenant and aims to complement the Armed Forces Covenant at a local level.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to comment upon and note the report.

Officer contact Gaynor Alexander on 474 3186 or email: gaynor.alexander@stockport.gov.uk

The Assistant Chief Executive (Policy, Strategy, Partnerships and Transformation) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing a proposed Community Covenant which aimed to complement the Armed Forces Covenant at a local level and provided a voluntary statement of mutual support between a local civilian community and its local Armed Forces Community.

On 16 March 2011 the Secretary of State published the Armed Forces Covenant, setting out the moral obligation between the Nation, Government and the Armed Forces and the general principles that should govern their relationship. The Community Covenant was launched as a key element of the Armed Forces Covenant.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.