Plymouth City Council has renewed its commitment to support service personnel, veterans, war widows and their families with the signing of a new Armed Forces Covenant.
Deputy Council leader Councillor Mark Shayer and Chief Executive Tracey Lee were joined by senior representatives from all branches of the armed forces to sign the covenant, including new commander of Devonport Naval Base Brigadier Mike Tanner OBE, RM.
The signing reconfirms a commitment first made by the Council 10 years ago but the new commitment is the first time the Council has signed the covenant as an individual organisation and is a further step towards gaining accreditation under the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.
It means the Council has pledged to help ensure that those who serve or have served in the armed forces and their families are treated with fairness and respect and are not disadvantaged.
By signing the new covenant, the Council has committed to:
- Helping find suitable accommodation for those who are currently in – or leaving – the armed forces
- Supporting the employment of veterans, service spouses and partners by guaranteeing them interviews if they meet the criteria in job specifications
- Championing the needs of service and veterans’ families who require school placements for their children
- Promoting the armed forces community within the business community and encouraging businesses to sign the covenant
- Helping improve health and social care provision to the armed forces community by looking at veterans’ ongoing needs, especially around medical support and mental health
- Supporting employees who choose to be members of the Reserve forces, including accommodating training and deployment where possible
- Actively participating in Armed Forces Day (AFD)
- Proactively working with the local business community to secure special offers for defence personnel.
Councillor Mark Shayer, Deputy Leader of the Council, said: “The armed forces have been an intrinsic part of Plymouth for hundreds of years and the city has a special relationship with those who serve and have served. We want Plymouth to be recognised as a centre of excellence for veteran support and renewing our commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant is an important step to achieving this.
“As a former submariner and the son of a sailor, I am well aware of the issues that fall upon the children, families, serving members and veterans both in service and when those serving leave.
“In Plymouth we have a fantastic network and partnership of people, groups, charities and public services that champion the cause for the Armed Forces Community in Plymouth.
“I am delighted that the Armed Forces Covenant will change many people’s lives as well enhance Plymouth reputation as the best place in the country to be a veteran.”
Pictured above (rear, left to right): Air Cdre Polly Perkins CBE RAF, Air Officer South West ; Lt Colonel Rob Williams; Alan Knott, Plymouth City Council; Cdr Jane Allen RD RNR, Devon County Chair, Wessex Reserve Forces’ & Cadets’ Association; WO1 Alex Orr, Royal Navy; Tracey Lee, Chief Executive, Plymouth City Council and (sitting): Councillor Mark Shayer, Deputy Leader; Brigadier Mike Tanner OBE, RM, Commander of Devonport Naval Base.