Issue - meetings

To receive a report seeking 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.

A report by the Community Development Officer was submitted (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) seeking approval to sign the Huntingdonshire District Council Armed Forces Covenant, ensuring compliance with statutory duties and alignment with current best practice.

The Chair, Councillor Conboy introduced the report and acknowledged the supportive comments of the Overview & Scrutiny Panel (Environment, Communities & Partnerships). Reference was made to the importance of honouring and respecting serving Armed Forces personnel, veterans and their families, particularly in the current geopolitical situation.

Whereupon it was

RESOLVED

that

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

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

c)  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, be agreed; and

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