Summary:

Options considered:

Conclusions:

The National Armed Forces Covenant represents a promise by the nation that those who serve or have served, and their families, are treated fairly. All 407 local authorities in mainland Great Britain and 4 Northern Ireland councils have pledged to uphold the National Armed Forces Covenant. Thousands of organisations have signed the covenant, including businesses and charities.

North Norfolk District Council (NNDC) signed the Norfolk Armed Forces Covenant at an official ceremony on 7 March 2012.

The Covenant, in its current form, has been in operation for nearly ten years. Whilst positive progress has been made, the Government is concerned that some members of the Armed Forces Community still face disadvantage when accessing public services.?

Legislation will soon be introduced to increase awareness of and improve the delivery of the Covenant in key areas fundamental to a good life, while retaining the ability of local service providers to honour the Covenant in the best way to suit local needs.

To further demonstrate North Norfolk District Council’s commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant and to ensure compliance with the forthcoming legislation, it is proposed that the Council publishes and signs its own Armed Forces Covenant Pledge. The pledge will include a commitment to achieve the Bronze, Silver and Gold Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) awards.

There is no legal requirement for NNDC to publish its own pledge. However, a pledge forms part of the eligibility criteria for the ERS and will help the Council ensure compliance with the new Armed Forces Covenant Duty of Due Regard legislation. It will also demonstrate the Council’s gratitude and support to members of the Armed Forces Community.

From a reputational and legislative perspective it is considered essential that the Council publishes a pledge therefore no other options have been considered.

The publication of a North Norfolk District Council Armed Forces Covenant Pledge will demonstrate NNDC’s gratitude, support for and commitment to residents of the Armed Forces Community that live in or visit North Norfolk.

It will help the Council to meet the eligibility criteria to achieve the Bronze, Silver and Gold Defense Employer Recognition Scheme.

It will support compliance to the forthcoming Armed Forces Covenant Duty of Due Regard legislation

Recommendations:

Reasons for

Recommendations:

To give authority to the Armed Forces Member Champion and Lead Officer to write a North Norfolk Armed Forces pledge in accordance with this report and ensure actions are implemented within an agreed timescale.

The pledge to be formally signed by the Leader of the Council.

The pledge will identify specific actions that NNDC will take as an employer and community leader to support members of the Armed Forces Community and achieve the criteria for the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Bronze, Silver and Gold awards.

To ensure that NNDC is able to meet the forthcoming Armed Forces Covenant legislative Duty of Due regard.

Cabinet Member(s)

Cllr. John Toye

Ward(s) affected

All wards in  North Norfolk