Renewed commitment to support service personnel, veterans and their families

18 December 2023

A pledge to support those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, has been renewed by Powys County Council.

The commitment was made during a reception held at the Infantry Battle School (IBS) in Brecon, when the council also collected a Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) bronze award.

The council first signed up to the Armed Forces Covenant in 2013, but renewed its pledge last month, after the introduction of the Covenant Legal Duty in 2022.

The legal duty requires public bodies to pay particular attention to how they provide healthcare, education and housing to service personnel, veterans and their families.

The pledge was signed by Cllr Matthew Dorrance, Powys County Council's Deputy Leader and Armed Forces Champion, and Maj Tim Hearne, on behalf of IBS Commanding Officer, Lt Col Rupert Anderson.

The council also collected its Defence ERS bronze award, in recognition of it being open to employing Armed Forces veterans, reservists, cadet instructors and military spouses or partners.

"I was delighted to be able to renew our commitment to actively support members of our Armed Forces community here in Powys," said Cllr Dorrance. "They make an important contribution to all aspects of life in the county and as a council we are proud to be able to help those who serve us, or have served us, and their families.

"I'm also pleased we have been recognised for being open to employing people with a military connection, which is an absolute 'no-brainer' in the current recruitment climate."

The covenant states that those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, should not be discriminated against and, in some circumstances, should be given 'special consideration', especially if they have suffered injury or bereavement.

Amongst those attending the reception were members of the Armed Forces Regional Partnership, representing the Department for Work and Pensions, NPTC Group of Colleges, Dyfed-Powys Police, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, 160^th (Welsh) Brigade, NHS Wales, SSAFA Armed Forces Charity, SSCE Cymru, Powys Teaching Health Board and Powys County Council.

The Armed Forces Regional Partnership is supported by the council's Regeneration Team.

PICTURE: Cllr Matthew Dorrance and Maj Tim Hearne signing the covenant.