MANSFIELD District Council has pledged further support of Armed Forces personnel and veterans, after agreeing to sign the Armed Forces Community Covenant.
The aim of the Community Covenant is to encourage local communities to support the Service community in their area by promoting and encouraging activities which help to integrate Armed Forces personnel into the community and civilian life.
It also gives local groups and charities the opportunity to access the Government’s £30 million Community Covenant Grant Scheme for local projects, which strengthen ties or mutual understanding between the Armed Forces community and the wider community.
The Council will be working with its partners to address some of the following issues which are faced by members of the Armed Forces and their families:
*Integration of the Service and civilian communities
*Housing, including access to affordable properties, social housing and barriers to home ownership
*Home adaptations
*Schooling for Service children
*Benefits and debt advice
*Access to leisure facilities and libraries
*Healthcare provision
*Employment and training
*Public transport
Executive Mayor Tony Egginton said: “We are already at the forefront of supporting the armed forces, particularly in our assistance of veterans with housing when they leave the forces. The Armed Forces Community Covenant is further evidence of our commitment to helping our returning heroes. The Covenant follows on from the Mansfield Veterans Charter, which we signed up to and championed in 2009.”
The motion to sign the Covenant was originally proposed by Coun Martin Lee.
He said: “I am delighted that the Council is committing to the Armed Forces Community Covenant, as this will enable us to continue and strengthen the excellent work already being done to support and target help to Service families and personnel.”
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