Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods seeking to provide an update on the support offered to current and former members of the armed forces, reservists and their families as part of our commitment to the Gloucestershire Armed Forces Community Covenant.

RESOLVED that work undertaken to support current and ex-service personnel as part of the Council’s ongoing commitment to the Covenant is endorsed.

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods that sought to provide an update on the support offered to current and former members of the armed forces, reservists and their families as part of our commitment to the Gloucestershire Armed Forces Community Covenant.

The Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods highlighted the key features of the report and aims of the Covenant.  He reminded Members that the council had received the Bronze Defence Employer Recognition Award having met its criteria (3.20).  The Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods further advised them that the council intended to apply for the Silver Award next year and continue its active participation in the county-wide Armed Forces Partnership which had recently opened the Armed Forces Hub in the city centre.  He stressed the importance of Gloucester City Council remaining committed to the Covenant.

The Cabinet Member for Environment expressed his own pleasure at the range of measures undertaken to support former and serving members of the armed forces and facilitating their access to council services (Appendix 1).  The Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure informed Members that he had seen first-hand the real benefits of offering support.  He recommended the principle that those who served should receive service in return as a matter of course.  The Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing Strategy commented on what she considered to be great work being done in the council to support individuals and their families, not least with the dedicated elements of the Homeseeker Plus Partnership.

RESOLVED that work undertaken to support current and ex-service personnel as part of the Council’s ongoing commitment to the Covenant is endorsed.