Council wins employer award for supporting armed forces

Ash Beaufoy, who is employed by the council as a street cleaner but is also a gunner with the RAFs reserve forces. (PHOTO BY: Rob Bourne/UKMOD Crown Copyright)

The council has won a bronze award as part of the armed forces covenant, which is a government-recognised promise that those who serve, or have served, are treated fairly in civilian life.

The council signed up to the covenant in 2013 and is committed to employing reservists and veterans, including the wounded, injured and sick. It also shows flexibility in granting time off for military spouses and partners, and endeavours to find housing for armed forces personnel.

“We have a policy of supporting the armed forces as much as we can,” said the council’s interim chief executive, Hayley Barsby. “We strongly believe in supporting our staff to serve in the reserve forces.”

The council even has its own ‘armed forces champion’, Coun Sean McCallum, who said: “This award recognises the commitment we show. It is the least we can do to help those who serve the country. It is also important to support spouses and partners who often have to move jobs and live in different places.”