The Council has reaffirmed its commitment to the armed forces community via the Armed Forces Covenant.
Surrey Heath Borough Council’s Armed Forces Champion, Councillor Leanne MacIntyre signed the Armed Forces Covenant on Wednesday 20 March 2024, witnessed by Captain Kumar Purja Pun, Royal Gurkha Rifles (RGR) and Marie Watts from The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.
The signing was attended by The Mayor of Surrey Heath, Councillor Pat Tedder, Leader of the Council, Councillor Shaun Macdonald, Surrey Heath Borough Council staff and councillors, local cadets, and members of the Armed Forces community.
Councillor Shaun Macdonald, Leader, Surrey Heath Borough Council said; “Today marks a significant moment in our community's commitment to those who served and those who serve our nation.
As the leader of Surrey Heath Borough Council, I stand before you humbly as we gather to sign the Armed Forces Covenant.
Our armed forces members, past and present, have made sacrifices. They have dedicated their lives to defending our freedoms and protecting our way of life and it is our duty, as a community, to ensure that they are supported, they are valued and their families treated fairly both during their service and well beyond.
By signing the Armed Forces Covenant, we pledge to uphold its principles to actively support our armed forces community.”
Councillor Leanne MacIntyre, Military Champion, Surrey Heath Borough Council added; “As a veteran myself I’m very proud to be signing the military covenant today.
Unfortunately veterans and those with military commitments can often face challenges or disadvantages in the workplace, so I strongly encourage all companies to consider being a forces friendly employer.”
The Armed Forces Covenant is a voluntary statement of mutual support between our community and the Armed Forces which recognises the contribution that Service personnel both regular and reservist, veterans and military families make to our community and the country.
The Council has updated its Covenant to reflect a number of steps it has taken, and commitments made to further pledges developed out of focus groups involving members of the Armed Forces community including veterans, their families and dependents.
The Armed Forces Covenant supports the Council’s key priorities in the area of Promoting Healthier and More Inclusive Communities. It recognises the borough’s historic links with the Armed Forces and a commitment to ensuring that the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant are met.
You can find more information on the Covenant, and the support available for the Armed Forces community locally and nationally on our website surreyheath.gov.uk/afcovenant (link is external).