Staffordshire reaffirms support for armed forces communities

Staffordshire 's council leaders have joined together to reaffirm their commitment to the county 's Armed Forces community and to encourage other organisations to pledge their support.

Leader of Staffordshire County Council, Alan White, along with other council leaders, together with the military, met in Stafford to re-sign the Armed Forces Covenant.

The Covenant is a promise by the nation ensuring those who serve/have served and their families, are treated fairly ensuring all members of the Armed Forces community have the same access to public and commercial services as any other citizen does.

The declaration builds upon already strong relationships between partners to ensure the principles of the Covenant are upheld locally.

Speaking at the event, Alan White said: “As a former serving member of the armed forces, I know how important it is that the community is well supported and recognised as a valued part of Staffordshire 's communities.

“We continue to work with our partners to support our armed forces community, to help explain what they do, the significant role they play, and to recognise the valuable skills and experience they bring to Staffordshire.

“This benefits not only local businesses and communities but allows them to enjoy full and rewarding careers and lives in our great county. We hope the re-signing will encourage other organisations across the County to pledge their support. ”

Philip Sinclair, the Ministry of Defence 's regional employer engagement director for the West Midlands said: “It was an absolute pleasure to have worked closely with Staffordshire County Council to support this significant event.

“This now sees all nine local authorities in the region with an Armed Forces Covenant registered and visible in the public domain. Defence is very appreciative of the support that our local authorities lend to the Armed Forces community, both as employers and as providers of services accessed by the community.

“This initiative taken by the Leader 's Board underpins that supportive behaviour and I look forward to working alongside each authority in fostering a strong partnering relationship, and to help them to encourage other organisations across the county to pledge their support. ”

Leader of South Staffordshire Council, Councillor Roger Lees, said: “The men and women of all our armed forces do a tremendous job and we are proud to support this covenant, working with partners to support whenever we are able. ”