A paper has been approved to ensure the Armed Forces community continue to be supported in Ceredigion.
During a Cabinet meeting held on 06 December 2022, Ceredigion County Councillors noted a report on the Armed Forces Covenant duty as laid out in the Armed Forces Act 2021.
The duty, effective from 22 November, places legal responsibility on local services and means that authorities must consider how their decision-making impacts members of the Armed Forces Community to embody the Armed Forces Covenant, a key mechanism that helps the UK Armed Forces and Veterans.
Councils, NHS Trusts, and other local bodies across the UK who provide services to the Armed Forces community will be required to adhere to a new legal Duty that reflects the key values of the Armed Forces.
Councillor Paul Hinge, Ceredigion County Council’s Armed Forces Champion, said: “Whilst the Covenant itself has existed for more than a decade, the legislative developments help to ensure a wide range of support for those who serve their country. We recognise the Duty of Care placed upon us and this is not new in Ceredigion as we have proactively supported the Armed Forces Community over the last decade, and we will continue to do so.
I am proud to support this report as we in Ceredigion have taken huge steps forward in raising awareness and promoting partnership working within the Armed Forces Community. Along with our partners we look forward to continuing with this work to positively impact upon serving personnel, their families, and veterans.”
Councillor Matthew Vaux, Cabinet Member for Partnerships, Housing, Legal and Governance and Public Protection, added: “It is essential that we recognise the huge contribution made to our communities by serving personnel, their families, and veterans. On behalf of Ceredigion County Council, I would like to thank everyone involved for their continued dedication and hard work within the Armed Forces Covenant Community of Ceredigion to ensure that the residents of the Armed Forces are fully supported within the county.”
Positive intervention has been applied by the Council to support Armed Forces personnel, their families, and reservists and this has been demonstrated through its Armed Forces Community Forum. In collaboration with key statutory and third sector partners, the Local Authority has proactively sought to identify the Armed Forces community through education, housing and healthcare services and this work will continue.
Efforts to date have led to the establishment of support services and providing assistance to families and children of the Armed Forces community.
06/12/2022