Today (Thursday 15 June), Westmorland and Furness Council made a significant commitment to the Armed Forces by signing the national Armed Forces Covenant.
This means the council recognises the value of serving personnel, veterans, Reserve Forces and military families, and promises to ensure those that serve or have served, and their families, will be treated fairly and will not be disadvantaged by their military life.
The Leader of the Council, Councillor Jonathan Brook, together with Major Jennifer Henry of the Army HQ Northwest, signed the covenant at a meeting of Full Council today in Kendal, following a unanimous vote by members to support it.
The council has also appointed three new Armed Forces Champions which will see them champion and advocate on behalf of the Armed Forces Covenant in their localities. These are: Councillor Bill McEwan for Barrow, Councillor Mike Eyles for Eden, and Councillor Vicky Hughes for South Lakeland.
The council will continue to show its support for the Armed Forces with the hoisting of the Armed Forces Day flag on its flag poles in Barrow, Kendal and Penrith next week in celebration of Armed Forces Week.
The events will take place on Monday 19 June, and we invite any members of the Armed Forces and the public to come along and show their support at the following locations:
- Town Hall in Barrow at 9.30am
- Town Hall in Kendal at 11.30am
- Town Hall in Penrith at 2.30pm
Councillor Jonathan Brook, Leader of Westmorland and Furness Council, said:
“On behalf of the council, I am both proud and delighted to pledge our commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant in recognition of the value that serving personnel, reservists and veterans bring to our organisation.
“As a council, we are committed to giving fair support to members of the armed forces, veterans and their families whilst recognising and remembering the sacrifices they have made. By signing the Covenant, we are showing our commitment to them, and will continue to ensure our organisation is a forces friendly employer.”
Major Jennifer Henry, Engagement Officer for the Army HQ Northwest, added:
“It’s particularly important for me to be here today as a serving member of the Armed Forces but also as a resident of Westmorland and Furness. It is fantastic that the council has today pledged their support to the Armed Forces Covenant. It is an important step in advance of Armed Forces Week to affirm the commitment that the council has made in support of our defence people, and we are delighted to be able to support them as they move forward.”