Armed forces families should feel a greater sense of belonging to their community following the signing of a special covenant by Central Bedfordshire Council.
The Armed Forces Covenant sets out how members of the Armed Forces and the settled community will work together to promote the inclusion and integration of the Armed Forces into the wider community.
As part of the covenant, the council has pledged to encourage support for the Armed Forces community working and living in Central Bedfordshire and to remember and recognise the sacrifices made by the armed forces, including both in-service and ex-service personnel and their families.
The covenant also encourages members of the Armed Forces to help their local community.
Central Bedfordshire is home to two military camps, RAF Henlow and Defence Intelligence and Security Centre (DISC) Chicksands, which together have some 290 military families split between the two sites. In support of these sites the council signed the covenant as a member of Central Bedfordshire Together, which comprises members of the area’s police, fire, health, business, education, town and parish councils and voluntary and community groups.
Cllr Tricia Turner, chairman of Central Bedfordshire Together, said: “Central Bedfordshire Together (CBT) is a partnership of leading representatives from public, private, voluntary and community sectors who are all committed to working together to support our Military Personnel and their families.
“As Chairman of CBT it gave me considerable satisfaction and pleasure on behalf of the Partnership to sign the Central Bedfordshire Community Covenant with our Armed Forces.
“This document recognises the need to address the Military’s special circumstances and the additional support that is required, and is a pledge of CBT’s commitment to work with the Armed Forces community. Their contribution is valued by us all.”
Councillor Mark Versallion, military covenant champion for Central Bedfordshire Council and an officer in the Royal Navy Reserves, said: “I am honoured to serve as the military covenant champion for Central Bedfordshire Council. I am impressed with the commitment shown to the covenant and the armed forces it aims to help, not just from the council but from all partners who signed this covenant.
“Initiatives, such as this covenant, are now rightly making the military more visible and I am proud to be a part of ensuring this council helps the military and also engaging with the military so that they can help us and our communities.”
Brigadier Mark Hallas (Commandant DISC), said: “The Central Bedfordshire Armed Forces Covenant seeks to further reinforce the ties already existing between the Armed Forces and the council.
“We are naturally very proud to be involved. Bedfordshire has always supported their local military personnel, past and present, and their families. The Covenant will help cement that support at a local level, and ensure that our Armed Forces, veterans and their families have the support they need and are treated with the dignity they deserve in the future.”