Commitment to Armed Forces community renewed by SKDC

South Kesteven District Council has renewed its commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant in a further show of support for the military community.

Leader of the council Cllr Kelham Cooke took part in a Covenant signing ceremony on Tuesday 1 March with Lt Col Jonathan Buxton, Commanding Officer at the Prince William of Gloucester Barracks in Grantham.

The new document includes updated pledges to reflect Covenant guidance now enshrined in law by the Armed Forces Act, which gained Royal Assent in Parliament in December.

The Covenant, first signed by SKDC in 2012, is a shared promise by the nation that all British Armed Forces personnel, veterans and their families suffer no disadvantage because of their service.

Cllr Cooke commented: “I am extremely proud to sign the Armed Forces Covenant on behalf of South Kesteven District Council.  There are an estimated 8,000 military veterans living within South Kesteven and we take our responsibilities towards them extremely seriously.

“We also enjoy an extremely positive relationship with the Prince William of Gloucester Barracks, and we are fortunate to have an incredible military heritage across our district.

“We have renewed our commitment to recognise the sacrifices made by the Armed Forces and will be encouraging others to sign the Covenant.”

Lt Colonel Buxton said: “The Army has had a close connection with Grantham ever since the Prince William of Gloucester Barracks became the Central Volunteer Headquarters of the Royal Corps of Transport in October 1976, taking on responsibility for the former RAF Spitalgate site which opened in 1915.

“It is a wonderful opportunity today to reinvigorate that bond through this re-signing of the Armed Forces Covenant. This will ensure that all British Armed Forces personnel, veterans and their families are treated with fairness and with no disadvantage because of their service.”

The ceremony was witnessed by Army representatives and SKDC Cabinet Member for People and Safer Communities Cllr Annie Mason, Chairman Cllr Breda-Rae Griffin, Mayor of Grantham and Armed Forces Champion Cllr Dean Ward, Chief Executive Karen Bradford and Bruce Spencer, Reserve Forces and Cadets Association Regional Employer Engagement Director.

The council has pledged to observe the principles of the Armed Forces Act across all aspects of council working,  and to encourage businesses and partners to engage with the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, under which the council currently holds a silver award.

The scheme encourages employers to support the military and inspire others to do the same.

SKDC action to support veterans has included a survey to identify issues facing ex-military, and the launch of the council’s own Armed Forces Discount Card. SKDC also covers the cost of staging the annual Royal British Legion Remembrance Parade, supports the district’s Veterans Breakfast Clubs and has a wealth of helpful information for serving military, reservists and veterans on its website.

Since 2018 the council has shared an Armed Forces Officer with Rutland County Council and Harborough District Council, ensuring staff awareness of Covenant legislation, and now has its own dedicated Armed Forces Officer.

Since 2018 it has approved discretionary funding of over £200,000 to commemorate its military heritage, including restoring Wyndham Park as a WWI Memorial Park, planting the Heroes Commemorative Orchard and staging museum and church exhibitions.

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