Fleetwood Town Council
We, the undersigned, commit to honour the Armed Forces Covenant and support the Armed Forces Community. We recognise the value Serving Personnel, both Regular and Reservists, Veterans and military families contribute to our business and our country.
The Armed Forces Covenant
An enduring covenant between the people of the United Kingdom, Her Majesty’s Government and all those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces of the Crown and their families
The first duty of Government is the defence of the realm. Our Armed Forces fulfil that responsibility on behalf of the Government, sacrificing some civilian freedoms, facing danger and, sometimes, suffering serious injury or death as a result of their duty. Families also play a vital role in supporting the operational effectiveness of our Armed Forces. In return, the whole nation has a moral obligation to the members of the Naval Service, the Army and the Royal Air Force, together with their families. They deserve our respect and support, and fair treatment.
Those who serve in the Armed Forces, whether Regular or Reserve, those who have served in the past, and their families, should face no disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public and commercial services. Special consideration is appropriate in some cases, especially for those who have given most such as the injured and the bereaved.
This obligation involves the whole of society: it includes voluntary and charitable bodies, private organisations, and the actions of individuals in supporting the Armed Forces. Recognising those who have performed military duty unites the country and demonstrates the value of their contribution. This has no greater expression than in upholding this Covenant.
Section 1: Principles of the Armed Forces Corporate Covenant
1.1 We Fleetwood Town Council will endeavour in our business dealings to uphold the key principles of the Armed Forces Covenant, which are:
- no member of the Armed Forces Community should face disadvantage in the provision of public and commercial services compared to any other citizen;
- and in some circumstances that special treatment may be appropriate especially for the injured or bereaved.
Section 2: Demonstrating our commitment
2.1 Fleetwood Town Council recognises the value serving personnel, reservists, veterans and military families bring to our business. We will seek to uphold the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant, by pledging to the following:
- UK Service Veterans And Leavers
- UK Cadets
We also pledge the following:
Veterans & Families As a council we have been supporting local veteran groups in our local town; one of them being Fylde Coast Armed Forces Community. One of our main focus is to support them financially for Remembrance Sunday, D Day event and now looking forward to VE Day for next year. Two of us councillors are veterans, standing in the front line and supporting the community has always been a priority and referring veterans and their families concerns to the relevant organisation for support. Cadets Force We have local Cadets Force which we also support and promote and invite to the wider community and often we have seen the growth and punctuality of cadets who really wants to join to experience life as a cadet. As the Armed Forces Champion of Fleetwood one of my responsibilities is to visit the local cadet forces and it is overwhelming to witness how the instructors deliver their lessons and also how the cadets take their roles seriously. Supporting local cadet forces is also one of the main key to focus on in our community. Commonwealth Veterans & Families There has always been a missing link of support provided to the Commonwealth community and as a council we strongly support our local community. Sign-posting to relevant organisations to support them with transitioning into civilian street and what we as a council can advise to help. Duke of Lancaster’s Association Fleetwood Branch This is a local association that meets every third Sunday of the month, our Town Council Armed Forces Champion and Cllr Andy Craig who is the treasurer for the association supports and help with various events planning and promoting unity and supporting veterans who struggle with Mental Health and PTSD. Building a good relationship with the community and raising awareness of positive mindset. Fleetwood Town Community Trust We also stand alongside the FTCT by supporting local Armed Forces Community. This consists of drop ins at our local community Healthier Fleetwood building; also invites them to take part in the local memorable events which helps and supports our Armed Forces Community. Local Memorial Benches The council has a group named the Fleetwood In Bloom, led by Cllr Jayne Louise Martin and volunteers who plants flowers around the areas where a few of our Armed Forces memorial benches a stationed. Our lengthsman also gives a fresh paint for the benches which gives most of our local veterans a feeling of pride. The Armed Forces We are also linked in with the members of the Dukes of Lancaster’s Regiment based at Weeton Barracks. Supporting them with information of local housing and employment opportunities. Financial Support As a council we do receive grant aids applications from members of the veterans community which all agree to support and every year we have stood by in approving financial support. Armed Forces Champion As a council representative I visit local veterans who are struggling with mental health and supporting all Armed Forces Charity groups. Raising awareness of a positive mind-set and always approachable to give advise and comfort those who are struggling.
2.2 We will publicise these commitments through our literature and/or on our website, setting out how we will seek to honour them and inviting feedback from the Service community and our customers on how we are doing.