Serving the armed services

Hertsmere has pledged its support for an initiative to support past and present military personnel and their families in Hertfordshire.

On Tuesday 13 December, the Leader of Hertsmere Borough Council, Cllr Morris Bright, attended county hall in Hertford to sign a pledge on behalf of the people of Hertsmere to develop the Hertfordshire Community Covenant.

He joined the Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire, senior representatives of Her Majesty’s Armed Forces, the Royal British Legion, Hertfordshire County Council, all of Hertfordshire’s district and borough councils, NHS Hertfordshire, the Hertfordshire Enterprise Partnership, Job Centre Plus and the voluntary and charitable sector to sign the pledge. The aim is to establish a countywide community covenant with the Armed Forces - a pact between organisations to support past and present members of the services and their families in the community.

The covenant in Hertfordshire would help promote access to a wide range of services from health and housing to training and transport.

Cllr Bright said: "I was more than happy to pledge Hertsmere's support to this important initiative. Our armed service men and women play a crucial on behalf of the country and it is vital that they are not disadvantaged, but provided all the support and help they need."

Chris Hayward, Cabinet Member for Localism and Chairman of the armed forces covenant steering group, added: “This is not only about those serving in the forces, but also their families and veterans. I hope that more organisations will join us in taking the Covenant forward to ensure members of the services in Hertfordshire have the support they need and are treated with the dignity they deserve.”