(from left) Cllr Jonathan Nunn, leader of West Northamptonshire Council, Brigadier David Russell-Parsons DL representing HM Lord Lieutenant of Northamptonshire and Cllr Jason Smithers, leader of North Northamptonshire Council sign the Armed Forces Covenant
‘The best way to show our support’
The leaders of West and North Northamptonshire Councils have pledged their support to the UK’s armed forces by signing the Armed Forces Covenant.
Respective council leaders Cllr Jonathan Nunn and Cllr Jason Smithers are pictured with Deputy Lord-Lieutenant of Northamptonshire Brigadier David Russell-Parsons, representing the Lord Lieutenant, as they put pen to paper.
The Covenant is a pledge to acknowledge and understand the needs of the Armed Forces community and aims to build a more open and honest relationship between employers, the Ministry of Defence and reservists. It recognises that the UK has a moral obligation to members of the Armed Forces and their families and it establishes how they should expect to be treated.
Cllr Smithers said: “We not only appreciate our Armed Forces’ service to the country but also the important role they play in our communities throughout Northamptonshire. Signing the Covenant reflects our commitment to ensuring that those serving the country in the armed forces and their families are not disadvantaged in any way in this county.”
Both councils have each appointed an Armed Forces Covenant member champion and a designated senior officer to build relationships with the local Armed Forces community. The covenant commits that the Armed Forces community should not face disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public and commercial services in the area where they live. It also acknowledges that special consideration is appropriate in some cases, especially for those who have given most such as the injured and the bereaved.
Cllr Nunn said: “Signing and upholding the covenant is the best way we can show our support and how much we value the contribution and sacrifices made by all of our Armed Forces. We are absolutely committed to supporting our Armed Forces community and delighted to be able to formally demonstrate this by agreeing to uphold its principles and be an Armed Forces-friendly organisation to its staff, customers, suppliers, contractors and the wider public.”
