Minutes:
The
Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Communities, which
informed the Members of the Armed
Forces Community Covenant set out in Appendix 1 to the report. The term ‘Armed
Forces’ referred to the Army, Royal Navy and Air Force. The Board noted that the Territorial Army were also included in the
Covenant as they would be utilised more in the future with the reduction in the
armed forces.
The Board was advised that Halton was part of a pan
Cheshire Covenant covering the Local Authorities of Cheshire East, Cheshire
West & Chester, Warrington and Halton. In addition to local authorities, health,
probation and Job Centre plus were involved in supporting the covenant.
The Board was further advised that the Armed
Forces Community Covenant had been signed by dignitaries representing each of
the authorities on the 30th June 2012, Armed Forces Day.
It was reported that each Local Authority was
required to have a nominated Armed Forces Champion, the Community Development
Manager had been designated this role in Halton. The Armed Forces Champion provided
representation on a Community Covenant working group that covered the Cheshire
area and provided a point of liaison for the forces.
Furthermore, it was reported that The Armed
Forces Community Covenant set out twenty pledges, around five key themes:-
• Housing;
• Employment & Benefit;
• Education;
• Health; and
• Wellbeing.
It was reported that the Council would work
with partners to assist and support armed forces and their families in line
with the pledges set out in the covenant.
The Board discussed the importance of knowing
how many armed forces families could be re-locating to Halton. It was reported that the number of people
re-locating was currently unknown as the armed forces did not collect such data
on discharge. However, transition
arrangements had been raised at a meeting in Preston but information had not as
yet been received. It was also reported that the Employment, Learning and
Skills PPB would be undertaking the lead on this matter.
It was highlighted that key partners would
need to be identified in the Borough to help to deliver the pledges in the
covenant. The Chairman requested that
SAFFA be involved in the process.
Furthermore, it was reported that the
Authority had always supported armed services personnel regarding housing
provision and it was hoped that this remained the current position.
The Board noted that a high number of ex
forces personnel were involved in the criminal justice system. The Board also noted that it could take 12
months for post- traumatic stress to develop and ex forces personnel had
limited experienced in accessing services.
The Chairman requested that on behalf of the Board, a letter of support
for the covenant be provided to encourage others to support the
initiative.
It was noted that £35m had been allocated to
the fund and very little had been accessed to date. It was reported that some pledges would be
via local provision. It was also
reported that the Veteran Association had met with the Clinical Commissioning Group
to consider how local services could be improved generally and how the
provision could be mainstreamed to ensure they were given priority and due care
and attention.
RESOLVED: That the report and comments raised
be noted.
Supporting documents: