A new pledge to support our serving and former personnel has been signed by Suffolk County Council.
The council is a signatory to the Armed Forces Covenant, a formal pledge by the nation to ensure that members of the military community—those who serve or have served, and their families—are treated fairly and with respect.
Launched in 2012, the original Covenant pledge focused on integration and shared armed forces community/civil society joint benefit projects.
It also set out the conditions to deliver the covenant locally such as the creation of an Armed Forces Covenant Partnership Board and the appointment of a politically independent Armed Forces Commissioner for Suffolk.
The new Covenant better reflects the engagement, learning, legislation, and delivery that has taken place since the original pledge signed by most local authorities, including Suffolk, since 2012.
It was signed Councillor Matthew Hicks, the leader of Suffolk County Council, supported by council chairman Councillor Jessica Fleming and Suffolk Armed Forces Commissioner Andrew Smith.
Councillor Hicks said: “Through Remembrance we rightly honour all those who gave their lives in conflict.
“However, it is also important that we recognise the unique contribution of those in our community who are serving now or who have served, which we do through the covenant. I am delighted to sign this new pledge.”
Councillor Fleming said: “Suffolk has a long and proud military heritage and continues to be home to serving personnel, veterans, reservists, and their families.
“As a council it is important that we recognise their dedication and sacrifice, and we are committed to ensuring they are not disadvantaged in accessing services, support, and opportunities.”
Councillor Mick Fraser, who is Suffolk County Council’s Armed Forces Champion, added: “It is important that we honour our Armed Forces community not only in words but through meaningful action.
“The Covenant helps ensure they feel valued, supported, and fully included in the life of the county.”
Andrew Smith, a Royal Air Force veteran who is currently Colonel Cadets for East Anglia and the chairman of the Suffolk branch of the armed forces charity SSAFA, said: “In recent years operations like Iraq and Afghanistan have highlighted issues like poor housing, mental health care, and medical support for veterans.
“The Covenant is a way to help address these concerns and I am delighted that Suffolk Council County Council continues to pledge its support.”
Notes to Editors:
Suffolk Armed Forces Community Covenant
In October 2012 the Suffolk Armed Forces Community Covenant was established. This agreement is a voluntary pledge of mutual support between a civilian community and its local armed forces community.
The UK Armed Forces Covenant is a promise by the nation ensuring that those who serve or who have served in the armed forces, and their families, are treated fairly.
The three principles of the UK Armed Forces Covenant are:
- To recognise the unique obligations of, and sacrifices made by, the UK Armed Forces
- That members of the armed forces community should face no disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public and commercial services
- That special consideration is appropriate in some cases, especially for those who have given the most such as the injured or the bereaved
In Suffolk, 157 organisations have now signed the Armed forces Covenant, including public services/statutory agencies, community-based charities, businesses, and schools.
Suffolk County Council provides the partnership function that enables the delivery of the Armed Forces Covenant Board.
Working with civil and armed forces community partners nearly £1.5million of grant funding has been secured from the Ministry of Defence / Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust to support local projects.
More information can be found on the Suffolk County Council website.
Contacts
Councillor Matthew Hicks (Cons), Leader of the Conservative Group, 07824 474741, matthew.hicks@suffolk.gov.uk
Councillor Andrew Stringer, Leader of the Green, Liberal Democrats and Independents Group, 07545 423842, andrew.stringer@suffolk.gov.uk
Councillor Sandy Martin (Lab), Leader of the Labour Group, 07955 434417 or 07854 334288, sandy.martin@suffolk.gov.uk
Councillor Christopher Hudson (Reform UK), Leader of Reform UK group, 07986 844259, christopher.hudson@suffolk.gov.uk