Agenda item

          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 30^th 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.