Armed Forces Community Covenant Achievements Commended

11th December 2021

The work of the Highland Armed Forces and Veterans' Community Covenant Partnership was commended by Highland Councillors today at a meeting of The Highland Council.

Councillors welcomed the considerable progress being made with partners across a range of activities supporting the Armed Forces Community Covenant.

They also welcomed the creation of a specific Council Armed Forces Reservist Policy; the Council’s achievement in being awarded the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award; the introduction of external funding to help Community Planning Partnerships to strengthen their relationship with Armed Forces communities; and noted the introduction of the Armed Forces Bill which will establish the Covenant requirements in statute.

Armed Forces and Veterans’ Champion, Cllr Roddy Balfour said: "As current Chair of the Highland Armed Forces and Veterans’ Community Covenant Partnership, I am proud indeed to commend our achievements with our partners.

“In Housing we have improved information and advice on housing options to forces personnel and veterans; in the Health sector NHS Highland is developing as an armed forces and “veterans’- aware" healthcare provider; and in Education we have seen the creation of officer posts to work with schools, Government, and the armed forces into ‘Getting It Right for Forces Families’ and improving educational outcomes.

“The challenges of the pandemic have moved much of the ongoing partnership working online into virtual meetings and support, however, this has not prevented us making good progress particularly with our neighbouring local authority Moray Council.”

Councillor Balfour added: “Our achievements put us in a favourable position as we look forward to the introduction of the new Armed Forces Covenant legislation currently at report stage in the House of Lords. The proposed new duty for the Armed Forces Covenant will require local authorities and other public bodies to consider the Armed Forces Community when developing policy, procedures and making decisions. Our shared experience in Highland with partners will be invaluable when the legislation comes into place.”

Since October 2012 The Highland Council has been in partnership with the signing of the Highland Armed Forces Community Covenant along with twelve other bodies - the Armed Forces Community; Highlands and Islands Enterprise; Highlands and Islands Fire and Rescue Service (Scottish Fire and Rescue Service); Highland Reserve Forces and Cadets Association; Highland Third Sector Interface; Job Centre Plus; NHS Highland; Northern Constabulary (Police Scotland); Royal British Legion Scotland; Scottish Natural Heritage; SSAFA (Soldiers’, Sailors’ and Airmen’s Families Association) Forces Help; University of the Highlands and Islands.