Decision details

To seek approval to sign the Huntingdonshire District Council Armed Forces Covenant, ensuring   compliance with statutory duties and alignment with current best practice.

The Cabinet has

a)  approved the Huntingdonshire District Council Armed Forces Covenant, superseding the previous Covenant;

b)  agreed that the Council continues to embed Armed Forces Covenant principles across relevant policies, services, and employment practices, where appropriate and proportionate;

c)  agreed that a member of Senior Leadership acts as strategic sponsor, and that the Council’s appointed Armed Forces Champion acts as Chair of the Armed Forces Covenant Working Group, to support effective coordination and governance; and

d)  agreed that an annual progress report on delivery of the Armed Forces Covenant Action Plan is presented to the Overview and Scrutiny (Environment, Communities and Partnerships) Panel to provide assurance, transparency and ongoing oversight.

Establishing and signing the Huntingdonshire District Council Armed Forces Covenant ensures compliance with the statutory duties set out in the Armed Forces Act 2021 and anticipates the proposed extension of those duties through forthcoming legislation.

The Covenant formalises the Council’s commitment to ensuring that serving personnel, veterans and Armed Forces families are not disadvantaged when accessing services, and that due regard is consistently embedded within relevant policy and operational decision-making.

Huntingdonshire has a significant Armed Forces and defence-sector presence, including RAF Wyton and RAF Alconbury. The Covenant recognises this strategic context and reinforces the Council’s role as a place leader working collaboratively with defence partners, the Ministry of Defence and the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Armed Forces Covenant Partnership.

Signing the Covenant strengthens alignment with Huntingdonshire Futures and the Corporate Plan by supporting inclusive communities, workforce transition, economic resilience and long-term placemaking objectives.

The recommended approach provides clarity of governance through strategic sponsorship and a coordinated working group, ensuring proportionate delivery, oversight and partnership engagement.

Failure to establish an updated Covenant would risk reputational impact, reduced partnership influence and misalignment with evolving national expectations. Approval therefore ensures the Council demonstrates visible leadership, statutory compliance and continued support for the Armed Forces community within Huntingdonshire.

Option 1 – Do nothing: This option would risk misalignment with current legislation and best practice and would not clearly demonstrate compliance with the Armed Forces Act 2021.

Option 2 – Sign the Armed Forces Covenant (recommended): This option reflects statutory duties, local delivery arrangements, and partnership working. Ensuring compliance, clarity, and continued support for the Armed Forces community.

There are no direct financial implications arising from establishing the Armed Forces Covenant. The primary risks relate to capacity and consistency of delivery, which will be mitigated through proportionate pledges, partnership working, and officer oversight. Should any costs be anticipated in the future, Cabinet will be asked to review and sign off on such on a case-by-case basis.