Council receive Armed Forces Silver Award

Runnymede Borough Council recently received the Armed Forces Covenant Silver Award from the UK Ministry of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.

The scheme launched in 2014 to recognise employer support for the Armed Forces Covenant and Defence personnel.

This award was an upgrade from the previous bronze award which the Council held and highlights the commitment the organisation has made to support reservists, veterans, serving personnel and families, cadets, and the wider military community.

To be considered for the award, the Council had to meet criteria. This included demonstrating support for training by providing at least five days’ additional leave and advocating the benefits of supporting those within the Armed Forces community.

As well as this, the Council has also demonstrated its worthiness for the accreditation through:

• The development of a fortnightly veteran’s drop-in session at the Gogmore Farm Park Youth and Community Hub. Here veterans can chat with one another over coffee and Runnymede and Spelthorne Borough Councils are currently collaborating to launch a second session in another part of the borough.
• The Council’s Housing Allocations Scheme was revised in June 2016 allowing serving / recently discharged armed forced personnel qualified to join the Housing Register without a local connection
• Establishing an Armed Forces Network, supporting employees who are reservists, veterans and spouses/partners

Cllr Stephen Walsh, Armed Forces Champion for Runnymede Borough Council, said:

It is an honour to be recognised by the Ministry of Defence and receive such award. I am proud that we are able to support this community and promote our positive policies.

 

Whether it be supporting the employment of Veterans and service leavers by offering an internal mentor to aid their transition into the civilian workforce or supporting a specific service charity, the Council remains committed to developing its organisation and supporting local people.

 

This award is a testament to the dedication made to staff and the military community. We hope to continue progressing and meet the ever changing needs of employees.

Runnymede was one of 48 organisations in the South East accredited this period with the total now being 139 Silver holders in the region.

Further information on the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme can be found on the government website

• Defence Employer Recognition Scheme