{"id":68013,"date":"2025-12-05T15:32:01","date_gmt":"2025-12-05T15:32:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/news\/?p=68013"},"modified":"2025-12-05T15:32:39","modified_gmt":"2025-12-05T15:32:39","slug":"devon-county-council-strengthens-support-for-armed-forces-community","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/news\/devon-county-council-strengthens-support-for-armed-forces-community\/","title":{"rendered":"Devon County Council strengthens support for Armed Forces community"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Councillors have voted to strengthen the council&#8217;s commitment to the Armed Forces community, building on our existing pledge under the Armed Forces Covenant.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Covenant, signed by the council in 2011, sets out our commitment to support serving personnel, reservists, veterans, and their families in Devon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We achieved the Silver Award in the Employers Recognition Scheme in August 2020, demonstrating our commitment to fair recruitment and support for reservists and cadet force volunteers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to the 2021 Census, around 49,000 people in Devon identified as UK Armed Forces veterans, representing 5.1 per cent of the population aged 16 and over, well above the national average of 3.8 per cent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201cTheir presence is woven into the very fabric of our county,\u201d Councillor Andrea Davis told fellow councillors at a meeting of our Full Council this week.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Councillors unanimously supported a Notice of Motion brought by Councillor Davis, &nbsp;requesting that the council:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Strives for the Gold Award in the Employers Recognition Scheme, which includes offering additional leave for Cadet Force leaders to support their training commitments<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Re-establishes a dedicated Armed Forces Covenant group for staff and elected members who are serving, veterans, or close family members, providing a confidential space for peer support and advice on best practice<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Considers recognising service in the Armed Forces as a protected characteristic under the Public Sector Equality Act, mirroring recent steps taken for care leavers<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div id=\"block_acf-block-6932f9cf9c94a\" class=\"councillor-quote align-right dcc grid-x\">\r\n\t<blockquote class=\"councillor-quote-blockquote medium-auto small-12 cell\">\r\n                    <div class=\"councillor-quote-title\"><p>Addressing the council chamber, Councillor Davis said:<\/p><\/div>\r\n        \t\t<div class=\"councillor-quote-text\"><p><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\u201cWe are already committed to supporting them. Devon County Council has been a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant since its establishment in May 2011, acknowledging the nation&#8217;s moral obligation to support this community.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\u201cWe proudly achieve the silver award in the employees recognition scheme in August 2020, demonstrating our commitment to fair recruitment, support for reservists and awareness of defence related policies.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\u201cIn November 2022, the covenant became a legal obligation requiring public bodies like ours to formally consider the needs of armed forces community in areas like housing, healthcare and education.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\u201cToday&#8217;s motion is the next essential step in fulfilling both our moral and legal duty.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\t<\/blockquote>\r\n        <div class=\"councillor-quote-aside medium-auto small-12 cell\">\r\n\t<figure class=\"councillor-quote-image grid-x\">\r\n\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"small-6 cell medium-12\" src=\"https:\/\/democracy.devon.gov.uk\/UserData\/4\/3\/1\/Info00000134\/bigpic.jpg\" alt=\"Councillor Andrea Davis\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\r\n        <figcaption class=\"councillor-quote-description small-6 cell medium-12\" >\r\n                        <a href=\"https:\/\/democracy.devon.gov.uk\/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=134\" rel=\"noopener\">Councillor Andrea Davis<\/a><\/figcaption>\r\n            <\/figure>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    \r\n    <\/div>\n\n<div id=\"block_acf-block-6932f9cf9ca01\" class=\"councillor-quote align-right dcc grid-x\">\r\n\t<blockquote class=\"councillor-quote-blockquote medium-auto small-12 cell\">\r\n                    <div class=\"councillor-quote-title\"><p>Councillor Ed Tyldesley, said:<\/p><\/div>\r\n        \t\t<div class=\"councillor-quote-text\"><p><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\u201cI would like to thank Cllr Davis for bringing this motion and especially the recommendation that we try to achieve the gold award. As a cadet force leader of 12 years I have seen firsthand the impact that the cadet forces in Devon have on our most disadvantaged children and the adult volunteers themselves.\u00a0 It is completely life-changing.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\u201cThe cadet force nationally is one of the greatest tools for social mobility that this country has ever seen suggesting that there is annually 120 million pounds worth of benefit, or return on investment, for the funding that we put into the cadet forces. So thank you very much, I strongly support this motion.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\t<\/blockquote>\r\n        <div class=\"councillor-quote-aside medium-auto small-12 cell\">\r\n\t<figure class=\"councillor-quote-image grid-x\">\r\n\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"small-6 cell medium-12\" src=\"https:\/\/democracy.devon.gov.uk\/UserData\/9\/8\/5\/Info00011589\/bigpic.jpg\" alt=\"Councillor Ed Tyldesley\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\r\n        <figcaption class=\"councillor-quote-description small-6 cell medium-12\" >\r\n                        <a href=\"https:\/\/democracy.devon.gov.uk\/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=11589\" rel=\"noopener\">Councillor Ed Tyldesley<\/a><\/figcaption>\r\n            <\/figure>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    \r\n    <\/div>\n\n<div id=\"block_acf-block-6932f9cf9ca84\" class=\"councillor-quote align-right dcc grid-x\">\r\n\t<blockquote class=\"councillor-quote-blockquote medium-auto small-12 cell\">\r\n                    <div class=\"councillor-quote-title\"><p>Councillor Edward Hill, said:<\/p><\/div>\r\n        \t\t<div class=\"councillor-quote-text\"><p><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\u201cI support this petition. Something that sticks out in it is the reference to the Equality Act and making service in the armed forces a protected characteristic. It is an important aspect of this motion to include the Equality Act.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\t<\/blockquote>\r\n        <div class=\"councillor-quote-aside medium-auto small-12 cell\">\r\n\t<figure class=\"councillor-quote-image grid-x\">\r\n\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"small-6 cell medium-12\" src=\"https:\/\/democracy.devon.gov.uk\/UserData\/7\/8\/5\/Info00011587\/bigpic.jpg\" alt=\"Councillor Edward Hill\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\r\n        <figcaption class=\"councillor-quote-description small-6 cell medium-12\" >\r\n                        <a href=\"https:\/\/democracy.devon.gov.uk\/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=11587\" rel=\"noopener\">Councillor Edward Hill<\/a><\/figcaption>\r\n            <\/figure>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    \r\n    <\/div>\n\n<div id=\"block_acf-block-6932f9cf9caec\" class=\"councillor-quote align-right dcc grid-x\">\r\n\t<blockquote class=\"councillor-quote-blockquote medium-auto small-12 cell\">\r\n                    <div class=\"councillor-quote-title\"><p>Cllr Michael Fife Cook, said:<\/p><\/div>\r\n        \t\t<div class=\"councillor-quote-text\"><p><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\u201cWhen people leave the services, quite often the first two years is disastrous. It&#8217;s very, very hard for people who have done many years in the services to be able to assimilate back into civilian life. I remember when I came out how difficult it was for me.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\u201cI think we should aim for gold and I think we should honour the people who are prepared to put their lives on the line. I absolutely support this.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\t<\/blockquote>\r\n        <div class=\"councillor-quote-aside medium-auto small-12 cell\">\r\n\t<figure class=\"councillor-quote-image grid-x\">\r\n\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"small-6 cell medium-12\" src=\"https:\/\/democracy.devon.gov.uk\/UserData\/0\/1\/6\/Info00011610\/bigpic.jpg\" alt=\"Councillor Michael Fife Cook\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\r\n        <figcaption class=\"councillor-quote-description small-6 cell medium-12\" >\r\n                        <a href=\"https:\/\/democracy.devon.gov.uk\/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=11610\" rel=\"noopener\">Councillor Michael Fife Cook, Leader of the Reform Group<\/a><\/figcaption>\r\n            <\/figure>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    \r\n    <\/div>\n\n<div id=\"block_acf-block-6932f9cf9cb54\" class=\"councillor-quote align-right dcc grid-x\">\r\n\t<blockquote class=\"councillor-quote-blockquote medium-auto small-12 cell\">\r\n                    <div class=\"councillor-quote-title\"><p>Councillor Simon Clist, Cabinet lead for Armed Forces Covenant, said after the meeting:<\/p><\/div>\r\n        \t\t<div class=\"councillor-quote-text\"><p><!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->\u201cIt is great that the council has supported this Notice of Motion unanimously and reaffirms our commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant moving forward.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\t<\/blockquote>\r\n        <div class=\"councillor-quote-aside medium-auto small-12 cell\">\r\n\t<figure class=\"councillor-quote-image grid-x\">\r\n\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"small-6 cell medium-12\" src=\"https:\/\/democracy.devon.gov.uk\/UserData\/3\/7\/5\/Info00011573\/bigpic.jpg\" alt=\"Councillor Simon Clist\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\r\n        <figcaption class=\"councillor-quote-description small-6 cell medium-12\" >\r\n                        <a href=\"https:\/\/democracy.devon.gov.uk\/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=11573\" rel=\"noopener\">Councillor Simon Clist, Cabinet Member for Assets and Resources<\/a><\/figcaption>\r\n            <\/figure>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    \r\n    <\/div>\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":34,"featured_media":68015,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[34,24],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-68013","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-community","category-dcc-homepage"],"acf":[],"featured_image":{"ID":68015,"title":"News Page size (57)","alt":"Soldiers and cadets walking in a 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