STOCKPORT AGREES ARMED FORCES COMMUNITY COVENANT

Stockport Council has endorsed the Armed Forces Community Covenant to promote good relationships between the armed forces and local communities in the borough.

At a meeting of the Council, Lt Col. Richard Jordan, Stockport’s Armed Forces Liaison Officer, presented the Covenant which was unanimously approved by councillors.

The Covenant is a voluntary statement of mutual support building on existing relations and service provisions to promote the continued development of a good relationship between the armed forces and local residents.

Serving personnel, veterans and their families currently have assistance in several service areas including housing, education, employment, health, and welfare rights from the information and advice services.

    Pictured, front row, are the
    signatories of the Covenant;  l to r:
    Eamonn Boylan, Chief Executive,
    Stockport Council;  Councillor Sue
    Derbyshire, Leader, Stockport
    Council;  The Mayor of Stockport,
    Councillor Chris Murphy;  and Lt Col
    Richard Jordan, Commanding Officer
    103^rd Regiment Royal Artillery. 

    Also pictured are representatives from
    the Royal Navy, Royal Air Force, Royal
    British Legion, and North West
    Reserve Forces and Cadets
    Association, and the Executive
    Member for Corporate, Customer and Community Services, and Leaders and representatives of all political groups on the Council.

In the new Covenant, the Council and its partners will:

–   Continue to work with the armed forces to raise awareness of and co-ordinate support services for the
    armed forces community.

–   Develop a network of strong communication involving Council officers and representatives of voluntary
    and community organisations, and co-ordinated by the Council’s Armed Forces Champion, to oversee
    the implementation of the Covenant.

–  Continue to work with the Royal British Legion, Territorial Army and Cadets to promote the role of the
   armed forces throughout Stockport.

The local armed forces will:

–  Work with the Council to promote activity that integrates the service community into civilian life.

–  Help local residents develop a better understanding of the armed forces.

–  Support Armed Forces Week and Remembrance Sunday.

–  Help the Council, the Royal British Legion and other organisations that help the Veteran community in
   Stockport.

Councillor Mark Weldon, Deputy Council Leader and Executive Member for Corporate, Customer and Community Services, said:

“Stockport Council is committed to developing a strong relationship between the civilian community and local armed forces.  The Council and its partners already assist serving personnel, veterans and their families in a range of local services including housing and supporting children in school.   

“We recognise the work of the armed forces on Armistice, Remembrance Sunday and on Armed Forces Day, and were delighted that the Mercian Regiment chose to march through the town centre last month.  The Stockport Community Covenant will formalise the current commitment and build on existing positive relationships.”