17 Mar Basildon Council pledges further support to the Armed Forces community
Basildon Council has signed the Armed Forces Corporate Covenant to recognise the significant contribution members of the military community make to the borough and beyond.
As part of the agreement, the council has promised as an organisation and employer to uphold a number of key principles to support members of the Armed Forces community and their families and prevent disadvantage. It has further pledged its support to the employment of veterans, reservists and service partners.
The Policy Oversight and Strategy Committee agreed to commit to the Armed Forces Corporate Covenant when it met last month. It follows the signing of the Armed Forces Community Covenant in 2012, in which Basildon Council pledged to encourage more interaction and support between the military, veterans and the wider community. The Civil Military Partnership Board was established as a result.
Cllr Andrew Baggott, Leader of Basildon Council, said: “Whilst we are active participants in Armed Forces Day and have long been proud supporters of the Armed Forces community who live, work in or visit the borough, the signing of this covenant goes even further in showing our gratitude to those who have made sacrifices to protect our freedom and values.
“No member of the Armed Forces community should ever be disadvantaged, and in fact there are some cases where they deserve special support. We are committed as an organisation and a local employer to demonstrating understanding and flexibility to employees who have Armed Forces connections, and helping ex-servicemen and women to gain employment.
“I am pleased that Morgan Sindall, a key partner of the council, has also recently signed the Armed Forces Corporate Covenant and I encourage other businesses and organisations in the borough to consider doing the same.”
Following the signing of the covenant, the council has already become part of the Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS). The scheme publicly recognises efforts by organisations to support defence personnel issues and encourage others to do the same.
