City Council confirms its commitment to covenant

10 September 2018

Members of Aberdeen City Council have today (Monday 10 September) renewed their commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant, by agreeing to refresh the document, which is based on the premise that those who serve or have served, and their families deserve respect, support and fair treatment.

The City Council agreed that Aberdeen is an Armed Forces friendly city that recognises the service of all British Armed Forces personnel and those of the Commonwealth of Nations.

A key objective with ensure up to 1% of its new 2,000 houses are offered to those leaving the Armed Forces, or the spouse and / or dependents of those who have died while servicing in the Armed Forces, with up to a further 0.5% being adapted for those injured in service.

It also agreed that a donation of £10,000 should go to the Poppy Scotland Appeal to support their ongoing activities in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire. And, that the Chief Officer – Early Intervention and Community Empowerment should report back to Council annually on the work of the advisory working in meeting the objectives set out in the report.

All members of Aberdeen City Council recognise the value which serving personnel, reservists, veterans and military families bring to the city, and the refreshed Covenant will strengthen the work and partnership the Council has with the Armed Forces.

The Lord Provost of Aberdeen Barney Crockett, who is Aberdeen’s Armed Forces Champion, said: “The Armed Forces Covenant is based on the premise that those who serve or have served, and their families deserve respect, support and fair treatment. And, I am very pleased that all members of the Council expressed their appreciation of the Armed Forces community and agreed to the refreshed and additional commitments of the refreshed Covenant.”

The Council also instructed officers to publicise these commitments on its website, setting out how it will honour them and invite feedback from the Armed Forces and wider community.