Council makes commitment to armed forces

A COMMITMENT to supporting Britain’s armed forces has been made by Argyll and Bute Council and the Ministry of Defence.

Council chief executive Cleland Sneddon and Faslane’s executive officer, Commander John Livesey, have signed the Argyll and Bute Armed Forces Covenant.

It pledges the council’s support for the armed forces community and recognises the value that serving personnel, both regular and reservists, veterans and military families, contribute to the country.

Mr Sneddon and Commander Livesey made the commitment at a signing ceremony at the Helensburgh.

The armed forces covenant is a promise from the nation that those who serve or have served in the armed forces and their families should face no disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public and commercial services. Organisations signing it include councils, businesses and charities.

Mr Sneddon said: ‘On behalf of Argyll and Bute Council, I would like to pay tribute to every member of our armed forces, their families and our veterans. They have made sacrifices for us and for our country and deserve our thanks, our respect and our support.

‘I am delighted to sign this covenant and demonstrate Argyll and Bute Council’s recognition of how important their contribution is, but also to what we will do to ensure they are fully supported in Argyll and Bute.

‘Both we and the MoD are fully committed to working together to underpin that support, now and in the future.’

The council’s armed forces champion, Councillor Barbara Morgan, said: ‘ We all owe our armed forces a debt of gratitude.’