Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture & Sport

The report outlines the purpose of the Armed Forces Covenant and provides an overview of key achievements against the identified priorities during 2022-2023; the second year of the three-year programme of priorities. The report also provides an update on The Armed Forces Act 2021 which has been introduced as a new requirement for some public bodies, including local authorities.

The Cabinet is recommended to comment on and endorse the report.

Officer Contact: Vicki Bates on 0161 474 3219 or email vicki.bates@stockport.gov.uk

The Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture & Sport (Councillor Frankie Singleton) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) outlining the purpose of the Armed Forces Covenant and providing an overview of key achievements against the identified priorities during 2022-2023 and an update on the Armed Forces Act 2021.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and endorsed.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

The report outlines the purpose of the Armed Forces Covenant and provides an overview of key achievements against the identified priorities during 2022-2023; the second year of the three-year programme of priorities. The report also provides an update on The Armed Forces Act 2021 which has been introduced as a new requirement for some public bodies, including local authorities.

The Committee is recommended to note the report and provide any comments prior to the report progressing through the governance process.

Officer Contact: Vicki Bates on 0161 474 3219 or email vicki.bates@stockport.gov.uk

The Assistant Director – Legal & Democratic Governance submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which outlined the purpose of the Armed Forces Covenant and provided an overview of key achievements against the identified priorities during 2022-2023; the second year of the three-year programme of priorities. The report also provided an update on The Armed Forces Act 2021 which had been introduced as a new requirement for some public bodies, including local authorities.

The Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture & Sport (Councillor Frankie Singleton) attended the meeting to respond to councillors’ questions.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         Members endorsed the content of the report and referred to a number of recent events involving the armed forces including Remembrance Sunday and the anniversary of bombing of the Droppin Well pub. Members commented favourably on the work of the council with affected families.

·         Members requested that council officers and community groups be publicly thanked.

·         Members also gave their congratulations to the armed forces’ celebration of the SS Stockport, along with the exhibition. During World War II Stockport Council had sponsored five ships; the names of which were HMS Mignonette, HMS Hawkins, HMS Maple, HMS Fly and HMS Barbour. As Stockport’s adoption of those ships contributed to the war effort, a request was made for research into this important part of Stockport’s history. 

·         It was noted that the covenant was an important piece of legislation in relation to homeless veterans and that there were good support links throughout the Greater Manchester area for homeless veterans. The links between membership of the armed forces, neurodivergence and homelessness was noted and the work that Disability Stockport undertook with veterans was welcomed. Members asked about the effectiveness of the council’s partnership approach to housing and otherwise supporting veterans.

·         In response it was reported that the Armed Forces Covenant Steering Group included Stockport Homes and that there had been changes to the membership of the group, with the inclusion of the Department for Work and Pensions along with an increase in membership from the voluntary sector including Project Recce, Mode Rehabilitation and Disability Stockport. Ex and current armed forces personnel had welcomed these additions and acknowledged the importance of building those relationships, particularly with regard to employment. It was also reported that armed forces veterans were part of the council’s guaranteed assessment criteria in applying for roles. 

·         The importance of the voluntary sector incorporating the Stockport Armed Forces Community Organisation (SAFCO) and its benefits for Stockport was highlighted. 

·         It was further reported that updates to membership of the covenant were underway. The was an annual change to the Chair and the Armed Forces Covenant was seeking cross-party representation for its Steering Group. 

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.