Coventry City Council has renewed its pledge to support those who serve in the Armed Forces, our veterans, reserves and their families.
The Council was one of four local authorities and nine businesses to demonstrate their commitment by signing the Armed Forces Covenant.
It is a promise to acknowledge and understand that those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, should be treated with fairness and respect in the communities, economy, and society they serve with their lives.
The Council has been a proud signatory of the Covenant for several years, but because of the amount of time that has passed since the first signing, it was decided that it should renew its commitment.
In doing so, it hopes to inspire other organisations and businesses to follow its example.
The Covenant pledge recognises the sacrifices and obligations made by the Armed Forces and their families and seeks to reduce or remove any disadvantages they may face in serving their country.
Councillor Linda Bigham, Armed Forces Champion for Coventry City Council, said: “The Armed Forces Covenant is a visible symbol of our intent to ensure that those who defend all of us are not disadvantaged by their service: and that the talents and dedication of veterans and reservists are given further arenas in which to shine and benefit from their undoubted talents, skills and experiences.
“Coventry has always been linked with the Armed Forces and will always be very proud of that association. We owe all those who serve today and have served in the past, a huge debt of gratitude that can never be repaid, but we can promise that we will support them and their families and do all we can to help them.
“The Covenant shows that we care and that we are there for them, and it was an honour to sign on behalf of the city of Coventry and pledge our commitment once more. We hope it will inspire others to follow our example and offer that extra support to those who deserve it so much.”
Cllr Marcus Lapsa, a Conservative councillor for Westwood Ward and a proud former member of the Armed Forces, also attended the ceremony.
He said: “Sadly, sometimes those who have served and their families can find it difficult to transition into civilian life, and in signing the Covenant we are showing the Council’s dedication to supporting them and doing all we can to help them become a part of their new communities and build a life after service.
“The Covenant is not just a document, it is a solemn promise, and at Coventry we will continue to work together and find new ways to help the Armed Forces community and inspire others to do the same.”
Coventry was joined at the signing by others including Warwickshire County Council, and representatives of two Armed Forces camps in Warwickshire - Gamecock Barracks and DM Kineton - as well as veterans and other organisations from the Coventry, Solihull and Warwickshire Armed Forces Covenant Partnership.
As well as being signed up to the Covenant, Coventry City Council has been recognised by the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme for its work to support the Armed Forces.
The Council was recently awarded the Silver Level of the organisation’s Employer Recognition Scheme for demonstrating and advocating support to defence and the Armed Forces community, and aligning its values with the Armed Forces Covenant.
The signing came as the city and nation prepared to honour the Fallen of the World Wars and other conflicts at Remembrance events across the weekend, and days before the anniversary of the Blitz that devastated the city on 14 November 1940 and led to the city’s work as an internationally renowned City of Peace and Reconciliation.
To learn more about the Armed Forces Covenant, visit the Council’s website.