Armed Forces Community Covenant is Signed
Published on:
25
September 2012
Armed forces veterans and their families across the Clackmannanshire area will soon have additional support from the public and third sector organisations after the Armed Forces Community Covenant was signed on Tuesday, 25th September.
A formal signing of the Covenant by the Clackmannanshire Alliance partners took place at Alloa Town Hall.
The Covenant, was formally adopted and signed by representatives of Clackmannanshire Council, NHS Forth Valley, Central Scotland Police, Central Scotland Fire Service, Forth Valley College, Clackmannanshire Business and Clackmannanshire Third Sector Interface.
The Armed Forces Community Covenant will ensure the Armed Forces and their families receive appropriate treatment in recognition of the role they play in the defence of civilians.
Lt. Col. Paul D. Holder, Commanding Officer of the Scottish Transport Regiment, who signed on behalf of the Armed Forces, said: "I am absolutely delighted to be signing this document. It highlights the relationship between the community and the Armed Forces and how we can work together."
Signing on behalf of Clackmannanshire Council, Provost Tina Murphy said: "This signing aims to ensure the Armed Forces and their families receive appropriate treatment in recognition of the role they play in the defence of civilians, as well as create an understanding and awareness amongst the public of issues affecting the Armed Forces.
"It is a formal but voluntary agreement of mutual support between the Armed Forces community and the public, voluntary and private organisations and agencies in Clackmannanshire to help the Armed Forces feel part of the community in which they live.
"We are Clackmannanshire Council are delighted to be part of this and fully support this Covenant. I am honoured to sign this on behalf of the Council."
The Community Covenant grant scheme, with funding of £30m over four years throughout Scotland, aims to support the process of integration.
Welcoming the agreement, Council Leader, Councillor Gary Womersley said: "It will fund activities which improve understanding, well-being, infrastructure and promote self-help, directed primarily at Local Authorities, Health Boards, charities and voluntary groups.
"Among the projects that may attract funding from the grant are children's playground which would be used by children from both Service accommodation and the wider community; projects that integrate service personnel, veterans, their families and the wider community; and projects that improve the health, welfare or financial literacy of service personnel, veterans or their families. We are delighted to be associated with this and the long term benefits it will bring."
Mike Mulraney, chairman of Clackmannanshire Business said: "We are delighted to give our support to the Covenant. Clackmannanshire's business community has a strong connection with the armed forces and we see this as a positive step towards not only recognising these links, but strengthening them."
Chief Fire Officer Kenneth Taylor regarding the Armed Forces Covenant: "I am delighted that Central Scotland Fire and Rescue Service will be signing the Community Covenant. Members of the Armed Forces have an important and vital role serving their country and the Covenant will help not only them, but also their families, re-integrate back into the community and civilian life."
Central Scotland Police has already signed an Armed Forces Community Covenant for both the Stirling and Falkirk areas.
Central Scotland Police Chief Constable Derek Penman added: "I am delighted on behalf of Central Scotland Police to sign the Community Covenant which is a two-way arrangement to encourage support for the Armed Forces Community working and living in the Clackmannanshire area by promoting understanding and awareness to the public of issues affecting the armed forces community. It is also aimed to encourage the integration for those in the Armed Forces into civilian life."
Malcolm McArdle, chairman of Clackmannanshire Third Sector Interface, who also signed the Covenant, said: "This is a visionary piece of work. It is important that we as a community understand the need to be exceptionally supportive of members of the armed forces who are re-integrating themselves into our community.
Andrew Lawson, Associate Principal for Forth Valley College's Alloa Campus said: "We are delighted to be a part of the Armed Forces Community Covenant for Clackmannanshire and will do all we can to help support those members of the armed forces living in our community."
Kathy O'Neill, General Manager Clackmannanshire/Stirling Community Health Partnership added: "There have been significant improvements across Scotland in the range of health services and support available to our armed forces, including access to specialist mental health services. NHS Forth Valley is committed to providing the best care possible for services personnel to maintain their health and wellbeing."
Now the Covenant has been signed applications can be accessed through the Ministry of Defence.