Aberdeen City Council has become the latest organisation to sign the UK Armed Forces Covenant – a commitment to support the Armed Forces community wherever and whenever it can.
The Council hosted a signing event at the city Town House on Tuesday 20th and joins more than 3000 UK organisations to have now signed the Covenant.
Lord Provost of the City of Aberdeen Councillor Barney Crockett signed their copy of the document and Lieutenant Colonel Geraint Davies, Commanding Officer Aberdeen UOTC co-signed on behalf of the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
Lord Provost Barney Crockett said a few words at the event
The Lord Provost said: “I am very pleased to sign the Covenant on behalf of Aberdeen City Council as we have a deep appreciation of the Armed Forces community and that is clear from the additional commitments of the refreshed Covenant.
“This Covenant sets the standard and I hope it might form the basis for other local authorities to follow suit.”
Aberdeen City Council commitment to honouring the Covenant includes pledges to:
- Promote the fact that it is an Armed forces-friendly organisation.
- Seek to support employees who choose to be members of the Reserve forces, including by accommodation their training and deployment where possible.
- Offering support to the local Cadet units, either in the local community or in local schools, where possible.
- Appointing an Armed Forces Champion to implement this Covenant.
- Appointing the Chief Officer – Early Intervention and Community Empowerment as a named day-to-day contact for the Armed Forces to raise any issues.
- Striving to support the employment of Service spouses and partners.
The Covenant signings were organised by Highland Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association and attended – along with signatories – by the organisation’s Regional Employer Engagement Director Michelle McKearnon.
Michelle said: “I am delighted Aberdeen City Council formally pledged their commitment to the Armed Forces Community by signing the Armed Forces Covenant. They provide support and advice to all members of the Aberdeen community including servicemen and woman. We are very much looking forward to working with them via our Employer Recognition Scheme and thank them for their pledge.”
Colonel Geraint Davies and Lord Provost Barney Crockett with the Covenant.
Aberdeen City council was officially established in 1996 and has 45 Councillors in 13 multi-member wards. They offer services that range from benefits and advice to education and childcare and cover one of the largest areas in Scotland.
For more information on the Armed Forces Covenant and the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme contact Michelle on 01382 631026 or email [email protected].
