Armed Forces

In May 2011 the UK Government sought to improve the current relationship between the nation, government and the Armed Forces by introducing an Armed Forces Covenant. This document outlines a set of principles or moral obligations, enshrined in the Armed Forces Act 2011, by which members of the armed forces and their families should expect to be treated. It also helps to avoid any possible disadvantages which they might encounter. Armed Forces Covenants were introduced, not to replace what existing level of local support there was for the Armed Forces, but to build upon it.

 

What is an Armed Forces Covenant?

Apart from providing the opportunity with which to honour the UK’s Armed Forces, a Covenant aims to:

 

  • encourage local communities to support the armed forces community in their areas and to nurture public understanding and awareness among the public of issues affecting the armed forces community
  • recognise and remember the sacrifices faced by the armed forces community
  • encourage activities which help to integrate the armed forces community into local life
  • encourage the armed forces community to help and support the wider community, whether through participation in events and joint projects, or other forms of engagement

 

The work of Local Authorities in Wales

All 22 Local Authorities in Wales have in place an Armed Forces Covenant. These were jointly signed with representatives from the Armed Forces at specially held ceremonial events.

 

Each covenant is designed to meet the needs of the armed forces community within that particular local authority. Fulfilling the covenant’s commitments will involve working in partnership with key stakeholders, including the Welsh Government, local health boards, housing associations and further and higher education establishments.

 

By signing up to a covenant local authorities in Wales have:

 

  • Elected Member Armed Forces Champions, who ensure ‘Covenant’ commitments are met and resolve any blockages that emerge in the delivery process. They are supported by a senior officer within the authority
  • Armed Forces Covenant websites, developed in partnership with key stakeholders. They offer expert help and support for members of the local Armed Forces Community (Regular or Reserve, veteran, family member or widow(er)) in areas such as Education and Employment, Health and Well-being, Housing, Family and Money Matters
  • Established projects to strengthen the ties or mutual understanding between the Armed Forces Community and the wider community in which they live. This has been achieved through successful bids made under the Covenant Fund grant

 

Many local authorities in Wales have set up specific projects to support the Armed Forces Community in their area:

 

  • In Wrexham, the council is running a free swimming scheme for veterans of the Armed Forces
  • In the Vale of Glamorgan, the council has introduced a new policy of asking customers if they have an armed forces connection when they contact the council in order to ensure that the service community receives all the services they are entitled to and has worked with external partners to provide an online database of support available to the community
  • In Ceredigion, the council has launched a dedicated telephone number for members of the Armed Forces community, where people can receive advice and information, from staff specially trained by the Legion
  • In Cardiff, the council has a partnership project with the housing organisation Trivallis and the Welsh Veterans Partnership to deliver sustainable homes for Armed Forces leavers, veterans and families. The Council worked with Trivallis, the Welsh Veterans Partnership and Seraph Property Management on a new housing development in Cardiff Bay, owned by Travallis and made up of 152 properties to allocate at least 15% of the homes to veterans registered on the Cardiff Housing Waiting List. The Council believes such a project to be in the spirit of the Armed Forces Covenant

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For more information contact: Rachel Morgan

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The Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) represents the interests of local government and promotes local democracy in Wales.

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