Covenant to strengthen council relations with armed forces
A planned covenant aimed at further strengthening positive relations between Telford & Wrekin Council and the armed forces, their families and veterans is to be signed at the Abraham Darby Academy today.
The official signing of the Armed Forces Community Covenant will be attended by leading councillors and representatives of the armed forces.
The covenant is a voluntary statement of mutual support between the local civilian and Armed Forces communities.
It aims to encourage local communities to support the service community in their area and help the public understand issues affecting the Armed Forces community.
The covenant for Telford and Wrekin will build on existing work to support the armed forces community formalising these arrangements and developing specific measures in partnership.
Themes of the covenant will include ensuring access to information about council services, employment, skills and training, housing, health and well-being, community involvement and engagement.
Through the Local Strategic Partnership a range of organisations who work within the borough are also being encouraged to sign up to the covenant. A Community Covenant Partnership will be established through the existing Local Strategic Partnership to oversee the delivery of the covenant.
The Telford and Wrekin covenant is being developed in consultation with the Army’s Community Engagement Team based at Copthorne Barracks in Shrewsbury.
Council leader Kuldip Sahota said: “Telford & Wrekin Council is committed to developing closer links with all key organisations in the borough and we are very proud to have an armed forces presence.
“We want to continue to build on our relationship with the Armed Forces community in the Borough and this covenant gives us a framework to proactively develop those links and demonstrates our commitment to doing exactly that.
“The signing event will provide an opportunity for organisations to show their commitment to the Armed Forces Community Covenant and will assist with raising awareness of the specific needs of this community.”
Once it has been signed, it will be made available for the public to access through the council’s website.
Councillor Kevin Guy, the mayor of the Borough of Telford and Wrekin, said:"As a former member of Her Majesty's Forces, I know how important it is for the military to form close relations with local communities.
“I am honoured to be signing this covenant which will ensure Telford & Wrekin Council continues to support military personnel in the difficult job they do ensuring the safety of our nation."
