REDDITCH Borough Council has pledged to become a part of the respected Armed Forces Covenant.
Nationally, the covenant focuses on making sure members of the armed forces community have the same access to government and commercial services and products as any other citizen and helping them to access the support they may need.
This support is provided in a number of areas including education and family well-being, access to healthcare and financial assistance.
The council’s Armed Forces Champion and ex Royal Engineer, Councillor Alex Fogg, said: “I am honoured to have played a part in Redditch Borough Council’s commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant.
“Our servicemen and women make tremendous sacrifices to serve our country, and it is our duty to ensure they receive the utmost respect and support.
“By joining this covenant, we are reinforcing our dedication to creating a community that openly values and cherishes our armed forces.”
Redditch Borough Council was previously included in a joint Covenant, which was led by Worcestershire County Council in 2012, but this has now been replaced by individual Covenants which the authority has chosen to proceed with.
Leader of the Council, Coun Matt Dormer, said: “The Armed Forces Covenant represents a promise between our council and the armed forces community.
“As we take this significant step forward, we are eager to continue to support, empower and uplift our armed forces community, enabling them to thrive and succeed in all aspects of their lives.”
Visit www.armedforcescovenant.gov.uk for more information.
Redditch has a strong history with the armed forces.
Mercian Square is named after the region’s local infantry regiment while the town is also a base for a squadron of the Royal Signals.
