a) Councillor J Wheeler
Rushcliffe Borough Council was recently re-awarded the Armed Forces Covenant Employer Scheme (ERS) Gold Award in December 2024.
This is the highest honour for organisations that have signed the Armed Forces Covenant, recognising employers who actively support the Armed Forces Community in their workplace and encourage others to follow their lead.
Given it has been over 11 years since the Council first signed up to the Armed Forces Covenant, we as a Council resolve to:
1. Re-affirm this Council’s support to for the Armed Forces Covenant by signing up again for the Armed Forces Covenant
2. Welcome Rushcliffe Borough Council being re-awarded of the Gold Award for the Armed Forces Covenant Employer Scheme
3. Place on record our thanks for all those who serve in the Armed Forces, their family and friends and all of our Veterans
4. Encourage all employers in Rushcliffe to sign up to the Employer Recognition Scheme Award.
Minutes:
The following notice of motion was proposed by Councillor J Wheeler and seconded by Councillor Brown.
“This Council resolves to:
· Re-affirm this Council’s support to for the Armed Forces Covenant by signing up again for the Armed Forces Covenant.
· Welcome Rushcliffe Borough Council being re-awarded of the Gold Award for the Armed Forces Covenant Employer Scheme.
· Place on record our thanks for all those who serve in the Armed Forces, their family and friends and all of our veterans.
· Encourage all employers in Rushcliffe to sign up to the Employer Recognition Scheme Award.
In moving the motion, Councillor Wheeler advised that a great deal had happened since the Armed Forces Covenant was first signed in 2015, including the opening of the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre (DMRC) at Stanford Hall, with its first class facilities making a huge difference to the treatment and recovery of so many. The Council’s showcase events celebrated the armed forces, including Prom in the Park, which had won an award at the Boots and Berets awards in 2024. The Council was re-awarded the Employers Scheme Gold Award in 2024, the highest honour for organisations that signed the Armed Forces Covenant and a testament to the work of the Council, and Councillor Wheeler thanked the Team Manager Community Development in particular for her work on this. Councillor Wheeler stated that by re-signing the Covenant, the Council was reaffirming its commitment to the armed forces and veterans, to ensure that they knew how grateful Rushcliffe was for their service. He concluded by encouraging any member of the armed forces or veterans who needed support to contact the Council.
Councillor Brown seconded the motion and reserved the right to speak.
Councillor Fletcher stated that as an ex service member, he had a strong belief in supporting the armed forces and veterans and felt that the difficulties faced when returning to civilian life were not always obvious. Schemes such as the Armed Forces Covenant provided vital support and the Labour Group was passionate about supporting the armed forces and would be supporting the motion.
The Leader felt and hoped that everyone would support the motion and agreed that it was important that the Council reaffirmed its support for the armed forces, advising that Rushcliffe was previously home to several RAF stations and an Ordnance Depot. The Leader referred to the significance of the DMRC to the Borough, with the important work it did.
Councillor Gaunt referred to the current political situation in the country and the significant attacks on diversity and inclusion measures and felt that this was an excellent example of diversity inclusion in operation. He asked if the Council could engage more with local businesses to improve awareness of the scheme.
Councillor Birch thanked Councillor Fletcher for his service, advised that he had family members who were veterans and was aware of the challenges veterans faced daily. He felt that as a country, veterans should be given far more respect, thanked officers and confirmed that his Group would be supporting the motion.
In seconding the motion, Councillor Brown was delighted to reaffirm the Council’s support for the armed forces and stated that Rushcliffe should be proud that it was chosen for the location of the DMRC, a first class rehabilitation centre, which he had had the pleasure of visiting, as well as Norton House in Stanford on Soar. Councillor Brown stated that during his Mayoral Year he had met three veterans seeking help, and with the help of officers, fellow Councillors and his Charity SSAFA, one had been found supervised accommodation, which highlighted why it was important to support the armed forces.
Councillor Wheeler thanked everyone for their comments and Councillor Fletcher for his service. He confirmed that the Council already worked with businesses and would be happy to work with any other organisations that wished to sign up.
On being put to the vote, the motion was carried.