http://news.warwickshire.gov.uk/releases/2012/01/26/warwickshire-agrees-to-sign-up-to-armed-forces-community-covenant/
Warwickshire County Council’s Cabinet has agreed to enter into an Armed Forces Community Covenant at its meeting today.
Last year, the Secretary of State for Defence issued the Armed Forces Covenant, an expression of the country’s moral obligation to armed forces personnel, past and present, and their families.
The Ministry of Defence proposed that local authorities enter into an Armed Forces Community Covenant, a voluntary statement of support between the civilian community and the local armed forces community which complements the government scheme. In Warwickshire, this will help former service personnel to access services such as housing, social care, health care and education for themselves and their families
The county council will also work with other groups in the area, including the Warwickshire Veterans Partnership. Administered by Warwickshire Probation, this comprises a range of local public bodies, charities and individuals who represent service personnel.
As well as the Veterans Partnership, the council will also look to include other bodies such as the district and borough councils, Coventry City Council, Solihull Borough Council, veterans’ associations, local health authorities and the private sector through the Local Enterprise Partnership.
With a Community Covenant in place, the county council will be well positioned to lead on bids for part of a £30million grant scheme which will be available over the next four years. These can be for sums of between £100 and £250,000 to be used in projects supporting armed forces personnel in civilian life.
The veteran population in Warwickshire, based on those drawing a services pension, is around 3,000 whilst there are two territorial army bases in the county and regimental headquarters ate Bramcote and Kineton. In all, around 5,000 personnel live in the county.
Cllr Bob Stevens, deputy leader of Warwickshire County Council and the President of the Warwickshire Royal British Legion, said: “I am delighted to show the commitment of the county council to helping the personnel of the armed forces.
“We will ensure that county council services are more readily available to them and their families. Also, by working with the Veterans’ Partnership, we will be well placed to gain access to funds that can help us to make a real difference in the lives of these people and their families. It is right that we do this, given the sacrifices that these people have made on our behalf.”
Warwickshire County Council’s Cabinet has agreed to enter into an Armed Forces Community Covenant at its meeting today.
Last year, the Secretary of State for Defence issued the Armed Forces Covenant, an expression of the country’s moral obligation to armed forces personnel, past and present, and their families.
The Ministry of Defence proposed that local authorities enter into an Armed Forces Community Covenant, a voluntary statement of support between the civilian community and the local armed forces community which complements the government scheme. In Warwickshire, this will help former service personnel to access services such as housing, social care, health care and education for themselves and their families
The county council will also work with other groups in the area, including the Warwickshire Veterans Partnership. Administered by Warwickshire Probation, this comprises a range of local public bodies, charities and individuals who represent service personnel.
As well as the Veterans Partnership, the council will also look to include other bodies such as the district and borough councils, Coventry City Council, Solihull Borough Council, veterans’ associations, local health authorities and the private sector through the Local Enterprise Partnership.
With a Community Covenant in place, the county council will be well positioned to lead on bids for part of a £30million grant scheme which will be available over the next four years. These can be for sums of between £100 and £250,000 to be used in projects supporting armed forces personnel in civilian life.
The veteran population in Warwickshire, based on those drawing a services pension, is around 3,000 whilst there are two territorial army bases in the county and regimental headquarters ate Bramcote and Kineton. In all, around 5,000 personnel live in the county.
Cllr Bob Stevens, deputy leader of Warwickshire County Council and the President of the Warwickshire Royal British Legion, said: “I am delighted to show the commitment of the county council to helping the personnel of the armed forces.
“We will ensure that county council services are more readily available to them and their families. Also, by working with the Veterans’ Partnership, we will be well placed to gain access to funds that can help us to make a real difference in the lives of these people and their families. It is right that we do this, given the sacrifices that these people have made on our behalf.”