Covenant demonstrates support for Armed Forces personnel

Archived press release

Date Published: 15/06/12

RAF Halton

A pledge to give practical help to Buckinghamshire’s military personnel, their families and veterans has received the backing of councillors.

Members of Aylesbury Vale District Council’s cabinet have agreed to endorse the proposed county-wide Armed Forces Community Covenant.

The government-led scheme encourages communities to aid members of the forces in their area, raise awareness of the issues affecting those serving in the Armed Forces, their families and veterans, and ensure they are not disadvantaged by their link to the military.

The Ministry of Defence has set up a £30 million fund to support the scheme over the next four years and communities can bid for money to fund projects which meet its aims.

In Buckinghamshire, this will make it easier for serving Armed Forces personnel, their relatives and veterans to access help and support in areas such as housing, social care, health care and education.

Discussions have already taken place between the county and district councils, military representatives and other voluntary and statutory agencies to find out the best way forward. The principles of the covenant and an initial action plan to identify and support projects that meet the key objectives have been agreed by the partner organisations.

The key objectives of the covenant are to:
• Recognise the local and national role of the Armed Forces community
• Remember the sacrifices made by members of the Armed Forces community and their families
• Integrate the Armed Forces community and the wider community
• Encourage local support for the Armed Forces communities in their areas and vice versa

Areas where AVDC could lend its support include working with housing associations and private landlords to ensure servicemen and women can access affordable housing, helping them access appropriate services and information, and supporting and encouraging events that allow the community to recognise the Armed Forces.

Councillor John Cartwright, Leader of the Council, said: “We have good links with the military in Aylesbury Vale on account of RAF Halton being part of our district, but this new covenant will, I am sure, strengthen those ties and encourage even greater community support for the military across Buckinghamshire. I am extremely grateful to all of our partners for the proactive and positive response they have made in developing the covenant and the work they have done and are doing to make it a reality.”

The new community covenant will be signed at a ceremony to be held in The Oculus, Gatehouse, Road, Aylesbury, on 5 July.