On Tuesday 7 February 2023, the Council Leader, Cllr Jonathan Nunn, and Chief Executive Anna Earnshaw were joined by Maj Jess Marengo of 103 Battalion REME for a special event to re-sign the Armed Forces Covenant.
The event, which took place at the Northampton Museum and Art Gallery, was an opportunity for the Council to reaffirm its commitment to the Armed Forces community by introducing some new pledges under the Armed Forces Covenant. Under these new pledges, the Council has now established a guaranteed apprenticeship interview scheme for Cadets and has introduced additional paid leave to support staff members who are Cadet Force Adult Volunteers.
West Northamptonshire Council is currently a Silver award holder of the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, and these renewed pledges form part of the ongoing work that the Council is doing to improve its internal offer for colleagues who have links to the Armed Forces.
The Council also stated its committed to supporting the Armed Forces community more widely through the Armed Forces Covenant. The Covenant Duty, which came into effect on 22 November 2022, places a legal obligation on all local authorities to demonstrate due regard through the functions of Healthcare, Education, and Housing, and the Council is working to ensure that appropriate training and services are in place to deliver this.
Visit the Armed Forces Covenant website for more information on how to sign the Covenant as a business or organisation.