Agenda item

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Community Engagement providing an update to Members on the support offered to current and former members of the armed forces, reservists and their families as part of the Council’s commitment to the Gloucestershire Armed Forces Community Covenant.

28.1    Councillor Trimnell introduced the report which sought to provide an update to Members on the support offered to current and former members of the armed forces, reservists and their families as part of the Council’s commitment to the Gloucestershire Armed Forces Community Covenant. She stated that it was important to reflect on the dedication of the armed forces in protecting people and UK interests both domestically and overseas. She thanked them for their service.

28.2    Councillor Trimnell summarised the key headlines of the report, noting that section 3.3 outlined the commitments of the Council under the Armed Forces Covenant. She further noted that a list of specific measures which the Council had implemented in support of the Covenant was provided at Appendix 1 and that Councillor Andy Lewis had accepted the role of Armed Forces Liaison Member for the Council.

28.3    Councillor Hyman asked for an update on progress in amending the Council Tax Support Scheme as agreed in the motion approved by full Council. Councillor Trimnell confirmed that work was underway to progress this action.

28.4    Councillor Radley referred to the narrative around Army Recruitment Events and asked for assurances that the Council was treating the army as it would any other employer in respect of HR processes. Councillor Trimnell confirmed that this was correct.

28.5    In response to an additional query from Councillor Radley regarding community building and how this was being used to reach out to the military community, Councillor Trimnell agreed that a written response would be provided in due course.

28.6    Councillor Chambers-Dubus referred to 3.8 in the report and the narrative confirming that members of the armed forces with homeless priority need would be awarded Gold band for 6 months from discharge date. She raised concerns that many people were facing a wait longer than 6 months for housing and asked whether consideration ought to be given to reviewing the timescale to reflect the current demand. Councillor Trimnell confirmed that she would ask Officers to provide further data around this area.

28.7    Councillor Pullen referred to 3.11 in the report and the narrative around representation from the Council to mark remembrance events. He asked whether consideration could be given to a written reminder to all Members to impress the importance of attending such events to increase turnout from City Councillors. Councillor Trimnell agreed that it was important for as many Members as possible to attend those events and confirmed that she would like to see a strong presence from Councillors.

28.8    Councillor S. Chambers suggested that consideration be given to making civic events more family friendly to assist Members with caring responsibilities to attend. She expressed her view that it was positive that the report directly mentioned the armed forces community, including families, and noted her agreement with the suggestion to increase the six-month timescale for Gold banding for armed forces families. Councillor Trimnell confirmed that she had taken on board these points.

28.9    RESOLVED – That the Overview and Scrutiny Committee NOTE the report.