Stratford-on-Avon District 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 Stratford-on-Avon District 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 Stratford-on-Avon District 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:
- Armed Forces Friendly
- UK Service Veterans And Leavers
- UK Service Spouses And Partners
- Flexible Leave For Spouses
- UK Reservists
- UK Cadets
- Armed Forces Day
- Reserve Forces Day
- Discounts
- Armed Forces Charities
- UK Wounded, Injured And Sick
We also pledge the following:
Organisational Support Promoting the fact that we are an Armed Forces-friendly organisation to demonstrate our support for the regular armed forces, veterans and reservists but also their families and bereaved families. Recognising, supporting and attending remembrance events including Armed Forces Day. Ensuring that information available to the Armed Forces Community is accessible and continuously reviewed. Ensuring we work collaboratively with our public sector partners within our district to ensure the support for the Armed Forces Community. Housing and Housing Allowances Establishing an Armed Forces Champion within the Housing Team who will be responsible for ensuring that processes and documentation is regularly reviewed and will support colleagues to appropriate service provision to the Armed Forces Community. Ensuring a smooth customer journey for the Armed Forces Community by having accessible information available, which is up to date and encourages early communication with the Council. Ensuring special criteria are applied for certain serving and former members of the regular armed forces, in relation to the additional preference on Home Choice Plus Ensuring that the Armed Forces Community are aware of the advice and support available to them through the local Veterans Contact Point and where appropriate signposting to this service. Maintaining the disregard of War Widows Pensions and elements of the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme when calculating housing benefit and council tax claims. Employment Support Seeking to support our employees who choose to be members of the Reserve Forces, by accommodating their training and deployment where possible, including providing: o Up to 10 days paid leave per year for the annual camp or other training specific to their Reserve or Adult Cadet Instructor role; o Up to 10 days unpaid leave in total within a three-year period, and each successive three-year period thereafter, for additional specialist training to enhance their role of for progression within the Reserve or Cadet Forces. Releasing employees for mobilisation in all but exceptional circumstances and providing support before and after mobilisation in achieve a smooth reintegration out of and into work, including maintain continuity of employment for reckonable service purposes. Providing a guaranteed interview where the essential criteria for a vacancy is met by external candidates who are: o Serving Armed Forces personnel during the 12 week prior to their discharge date from the Armed Forces; o Ex-Armed Forces personnel within 3 years of their discharge date; or o Where the Armed Forces were their last long-term employer. Offering up to a four-week unpaid work experience placement, where possible, for those who are leaving the Armed Forces, also welcoming interest from those who are Wounded, Injured or Sick.
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.