New covenant cements council commitment to support armed forces
Test Valley Borough Council has cemented its commitment to supporting serving and former armed forces personnel and their families who live and work in the borough with the signing of a new Armed Forces Covenant.
The covenant sets out the council’s promise to provide dedicated and enhanced help to those who serve in the regular and reserve armed forces, and was signed by leader of the council, Councillor Phil North, TVBC chief executive, Andy Ferrier and Armed Forces Champion, Cllr Ian Jeffrey, Brigadier James Ashworth from Army Headquarters and Colonel Brendan Shaw – Commandant Army Aviation Centre.
It aims to ensure that members of the armed forces community do not face disadvantages in the provision of public services, arising from their service. It focuses on helping military personnel and their families with employment and transition and integration into civilian life, assisting those in the reserve forces during mobilisation and deployment, and supporting events, charities, and cadet organisations.
To meet the aims of the covenant, there is a focus on continuing to work closely with armed forces partners and encourage joint working across service providers. In recent years, the council has increased partnership working to further understand, support, and raise awareness of the complex needs of the military community in areas including housing and health, as well as signposting to support grants for service leavers and veterans.
Since signing the first covenant in 2012, the council has set up a Civilian Military Forum to help foster collaboration among armed forces partners and wider community organisations and achieved the Bronze and Silver Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) awards.
The council also actively supports civic and ceremonial events that honour the armed forces, including VE Day celebrations and remembrance activities that pay tribute to service members past and present.
And in 2023, TVBC hosted the Test Valley Freedom Parade, an event that celebrated local regiments awarded the Freedom of the Borough.
Councillor Ian Jeffrey said: “I understand first-hand the unique challenges, complexities, and impact of serving in the armed forces, both on military personnel and their families. It is such an honour to serve one’s country, but with it comes sacrifice, so it is only right that we do everything we can to repay that sacrifice and ensure that we support and protect our armed forces just as they support and protect us.”
Leader of TVBC, Councillor Phil North, added: “The covenant stands as a binding commitment to do all we can to help those who serve, or are veterans of, our armed forces. It recognises those who have risked everything for us – for our freedom and safety, and we offer the support of Test Valley Borough Council in thanks.”
Colonel Brendan Shaw said: “On behalf of the Army Aviation Centre at Middle Wallop I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the council and especially Councillor Jeffrey, the Leader, and the Chief Executive for their support for the Armed Forces Covenant.
“The Covenant is more than words on paper. It is a promise – a promise that those who serve, have served, and their families will be treated with fairness, respect and dignity. It recognises the sacrifices made in the line of duty and ensures that in return, our community is not forgotten. It reminds us that service is valued not only by the nation as a whole but by local communities who stand beside us.”
Brigadier James Ashworth commented: “The relationship between the Armed Forces and Test Valley is deeply entrenched. This renewed Armed Forces Covenant is testament to that reflecting a two-way relationship. With the Forces and our families positively contributing to the resilience and cohesion of the wider community in which we live and work, and the council recognising and supporting the uniqueness of military life, and the sacrifices that come with that service.