Honoured for armed forces dedication
SOLDIERS turned councillors have spoken of their pride at Cheshire
East Council being honoured for its work with the armed forces.
The council has been given the bronze award by the Ministry of Defence for its work with ex-services personnel in the borough.
It signed up to the Cheshire, Halton and Warrington armed forces community covenant in 2019 and appointed an armed forces champion in former soldier Ashley Farrall, councillor for Macclesfield Central ward.
There is also a ‘veterans gateway’, which is a network of organisations across the borough, supporting the armed forces community.
Coun Farrall, who served in Iraq and Northern Ireland, said: “I am proud that Cheshire East Council has now achieved its first award as an armed forces covenant employer.
“This confirms its commitment to the armed forces community in a greater way now and in the future.
“We have dedicated officers working to make sure this is not our last award but, hopefully, the first of many as we continue to build on our success.”
Councillor Mick Warren, for Macclesfield East ward and cabinet member for communities, said: “As a former soldier myself and now a cabinet member, I am pleased to have the armed forces covenant in my portfolio of responsibilities.
“I am very keen to be part of the process, along with Coun Farrall, which will see our commitment to the covenant grow over the coming years to show the support we give and recognition we have for our veterans and serving personnel, which is something they thoroughly deserve and need.”