Parish councils unite to sign the Armed Forces covenant

NINE parish and town councils have shown their commitment to supporting military personnel community by signing the Armed Forces Covenant.

Charnwood Borough Council hosted the event where parish and town councils from across the borough came together to pledge their support for current serving personnel, veterans, reservists and their families.

The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise by the nation to ensure that those who serve or who have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, are treated fairly and do not face disadvantage. Groups, organisations, charities, local authorities and businesses are encouraged to sign up to it.

Coun Hilary Fryer, the Council’s armed forces champion, said: “I am delighted many parish and town councils have come together to sign the covenant and are committed to helping the Armed Forces community.

“It’s important we continue to encourage organisations in Charnwood to sign the covenant and ensure resources are in place to support the Armed Forces and their families in our communities across the borough.”

The parish and town councils in Charnwood are the first ones to sign the covenant in Leicestershire.

Coun Deborah Taylor, lead member for communities said: “We acknowledge the sacrifices our Armed Forces men and women, and their families make, and it was great to see the parish and town councils signing the covenant. “

Shepshed Town and Barrow upon Soar Parish Councils were among the nine organisations to sign and pledge their support. Coun Joan Tassell from Shepshed Town Council said:

“We are proud to sign the Armed Forces Covenant and are committed to helping those with a military background.

“It’s fantastic so many organisations have come along today to pledge their support. We look forward to helping the Armed Forces personnel, both past and present within our local community.”

The full list of parish and town councils that signed the covenant are: Anstey, Barrow upon Soar, Mountsorrel, Newtown Linford, Queniborough, Quorn, Shepshed, Thurcaston and Cropston, Woodhouse.

The borough council signed the Armed Forces Covenant in 2013 and employs an Armed Forces community covenant development officer, in partnership with Melton and Rushcliffe borough councils to help develop and support the Armed Forces community and ensure that military personal do not face any disadvantage as a result of their service.

■ Back row left to right: John S Wilson OBE DL - Regional Employer Engagement Director, Coun Joan Tassall - Shepshed Town Council, Coun Deborah Taylor - lead member for communities at Charnwood Borough Council, Coun Hilary Fryer - armed forces champion at Charnwood Borough Council, Coun Martin Broomhead - Anstey Parish Council, Coun Michael Jackson - Thurcaston and Cropston Parish Council, WO1 (RSM) Rob Aspinall RLC - Regimental Sergeant Major at Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre. Front row left to right: Coun Sandie Forrest - Barrow upon Soar Parish Council, Coun Megan Pirt - Mountsorrel Parish Council, Coun Chris Bennett – Woodhouse Parish Council , Coun Stephen Wright - Queniborough Parish Council, Coun Dr. Sue Pritchard - Newtown Linford Parish Council