Agenda item

The Committee will receive a report which provides an update on the work of the Kirklees Armed Forces Covenant Board since the introduction of the Armed Forces Bill 2021.

Contact: Vina Randhawa – Democracy Manager

A report was submitted providing the Committee with an update on the work of the Kirklees Armed Forces Covenant Board since the introduction of the Armed Forces Bill in 2021.

Councillor Naheed Mather, Cabinet Member for Culture and Greener Kirklees was in attendance and introduced the report which set out details of the Covenant Duty along with the progress and achievements in Kirklees. The Kirklees Armed Forces Covenant Board had been established in 2013 to encourage services and partners to offer support to the local armed forces community to make it easier for Service Personnel families and veterans to access the help and support available for the Ministry of Defence, from statutory providers and from the charitable and voluntary sector. Inclusive Communities Framework. It was reported that the Armed Forces Act 2021 placed a legal duty on specified public persons and bodies to have due regard to the principles of the Covenant when exercising certain statutory duties and functions in respect of healthcare, education and housing.

It was explained that disadvantage in service delivery most frequently occurs through a lack of understanding of the unique obligations and circumstances of the Armed Forces Community. The aim of the new Duty is to build awareness among service providers of the Covenant’s principles and the Armed Forces Community.

The report set out an update on the progress and achievements in Kirklees based on the existing good practice contained within the Armed Forces Covenant Duty Guidance on how bodies can raise awareness of Armed Forces issues. It highlighted areas where good progress is being made and other areas that could also be considered.

Questions and comments were invited from the Committee Members, with the following issues being covered:

• The importance of ensuring visibility and promoting the covenant was stressed as a means of raising awareness and increasing participation from partners and from within the Council.
• In respect of frontline staff training it was suggested that this should be a requirement for staff and that statistical information be collated to monitor take up
• Members acknowledged that things were still evolving as to how the covenant is applied
• In response to a question about the limitations of the Covenant in respect of housing, Vina Randhawa, Democracy Manager, explained that a ‘champion’ from Housing Solutions was a member of the Partnership Board to help Armed Forces personnel navigate the housing application process.
• It was noted that there was no formal arrangements with Mental Health Trusts and Integrated Care Boards to ensure the Covenant is adhered to.
• With regard to the budgetary situation it was noted that £20k had been set aside to support work on the Covenant. This is currently funded by way of one off contribution met from reserves and it was reported that the Council could not commit to mainstreaming the budget but work will continue to look into budget provision in collaboration with partners.
• The importance of consulting with the local armed forces community was raised as a means of measuring whether the application of the Covenant is working.

Resolved –

1)    That the update on the work of the Kirklees Armed Forces Board, including the ongoing work with partner and voluntary organisations be noted.

2)    That the work with housing services to help Armed Forces Personnel navigate the housing process be welcomed.

3)    That the budget position in relation to the Armed Forces Covenant be noted.

4)    That a survey be developed to hear the voice and understand the need of Armed Services personnel locally

5)    That discussions be undertaken with health organisations to allow the Council to understand how they are working with the Covenant.

6)    That statistical information relating to the take up of e-learning training be provided in future updates to the Committee.