Armed Forces Act 2021
This Council:
· Stands firmly behind our UK Armed Forces and fully supports the aims of the Armed Forces Covenant.
· Welcomes the new Armed Forces Act but sees the legislation as a missed opportunity to improve the lives of veterans in Exeter.
· Notes with disappointment that the Act which makes Exeter City Council and local public bodies legally bound to have “due regard” to the Covenant when providing support to Forces communities but exempts central government from any such duty, creating a two-tier Covenant for veterans.
· Notes with further disappointment that Labour led proposals backed by service charities and ex-Service chiefs to enshrine the Covenant fully into law but Conservative MPs voted down these plans to improve Armed Forces accommodation, employment support and pensions and to end the scandal of visa fees for the families of Commonwealth and Gurkha personnel.
· Resolves to continue the campaign with Forces charities to see the Government strengthen the Covenant and improve vital services to veterans.
Minutes:
Councillor Pearce, seconded by Councillor Wright, moved a Notice of Motion in the following terms:-
Armed Forces Act 2021
This Council:
· Stands firmly behind our UK Armed Forces and fully supports the aims of the Armed Forces Covenant.
· Welcomes the new Armed Forces Act but sees the legislation as a missed opportunity to improve the lives of veterans in Exeter.
· Notes with disappointment that the Act which makes Exeter City Council and local public bodies legally bound to have “due regard” to the Covenant when providing support to Forces communities but exempts central government from any such duty, creating a two-tier Covenant for veterans.
· Notes with further disappointment that Labour led proposals backed by service charities and ex-Service chiefs to enshrine the Covenant fully into law but Conservative MPs voted down these plans to improve Armed Forces accommodation, employment support and pensions and to end the scandal of visa fees for the families of Commonwealth and Gurkha personnel.
· Resolves to continue the campaign with Forces charities to see the Government strengthen the Covenant and improve vital services to veterans.
Councillor Jobson, as the leader of an opposition group, made the following comments, stating that she would not be supporting the Motion:-
· the Conservative Group supported the Armed Forces and the Armed Forces Covenant, the Armed Forces having made many sacrifices to fulfil their duties and to keep people safe. The Armed Forces were likely to be asked to step in to ensure that essential services continue to be provided during strike action;
· the Armed Forces and their families deserve the Armed Forces Covenant as part of the promise made to them that they would not be disadvantaged and that their sacrifices would be recognised;
· the Secretary of State for Defence had expressed his gratitude to the thousands of organisations across the country who supported the Armed Forces to ensure that they and their families were not disadvantaged as a result of the sacrifices made; and
· the Covenant was to ensure that support continued into the future and the Conservative Group supported this legislation but could not support the recommendation.
In presenting his motion, Councillor Pearce made the following points:-
· it was a very important recommendation for the South West as there were more veterans in the South West than anywhere else in the country and, in particular in Exeter, 3.9% of the population were veterans, many of whom being reservists who worked at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital;
· the Royal British Legion had expressed the view that the Armed Forces Bill would, for the first time, place the Covenant on a legal footing. Whilst the majority of the public believed that it was the responsibility of the Government to deliver, it was exempted from the new provisions. The Legion had stated that the responsibility for many of the issues concerning the Armed Forces community rests with the Government; and
· support for the Armed Forces was a Government responsibility and it should be taking the initiative and not relying on Local Councils who already do what they can to support the Armed Forces community. The Government should not be abrogating themselves from their responsibility.
Councillor Pearce commended the Motion to Council.
The Notice of Motion was put to the vote and CARRIED.