In order to monitor our commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant, an annual report is submitted to Cabinet. This is supported with an Action Plan.
Appendix A
Armed Forces Covenant Action Plan 2019-2023
Updated December 2021
|
Key Action |
Lead officer |
Time scales |
Financial & Resource Implications |
Outcome Target |
Progress |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Information gathering, fact finding and networking |
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Baselining the Bassetlaw population which could benefit Covenant delivery |
Stephen Brown |
Spring 2019 |
Officer time |
This will link into the work by other Notts Districts/Boroughs and provide a baseline |
Census (2011) profile obtained This identified 2029 veterans of working age (16-64) in Bassetlaw – 3%. 41 Active cases in Bassetlaw through Careers Transition Partnership –October 2020 (40 at April 2019). 107 roles at BDC promoted through the Careers Transition Partnership Nov 2019 – Oct 2020. 10 applications received. Promoted awareness of specific question in Census 2021 amongst the Veteran community. COMPLETED |
|
Make contact/research what other Local Authorities are doing |
Stephen Brown |
Ongoing |
Officer time |
Share good practice Gap analysis of action plans Learn and gain new knowledge |
Meetings are based around the work of the Civil Military Partnership COMPLETED |
|
Attend the Nottinghamshire Civil Military Partnership Board and feedback relevant information learned |
Chairman of BDC (‘Armed Forces’ Champion) / Stephen Brown |
Ongoing 4 times a year |
Member and Officer time |
Attend all meetings Share information Update board on BDC covenant work |
Meetings attended by the Armed Forces Champion COMPLETED |
|
Promoting the Armed Forces Covenant locally |
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Implement a revised website and maintain/improve, include new covenant branding |
Carol Robinson |
Spring 2019 |
Officer time |
Website to provide up to date and accurate information with relevant links to enable the public to access information both local information and national. |
COMPLETED |
|
Work with Comms team to promote all positive outcomes of the Covenant using a variety of sources |
Will Spence |
Ongoing |
Officer time |
To ensure positive news stories are shared with the Bassetlaw community To provide information and news to the Bassetlaw community To seek support and promote events and activities locally |
This is an ongoing target and all possible good news stories have been released using both social media, newspapers and TV. Features on: VE and VJ Day Armed Forces Day Poppy Appeal Remembrance Sunday, including feature with Royal British Legion branches |
|
Consider, with the County Council and other districts, what we might wish to do in promoting a resigning of the Covenant |
Stephen Brown |
Spring 2019 |
Officer time Possible reception catering costs |
Gain awareness of the covenant Raise the profile of the Covenant Re-establish momentum across the district |
To be considered in 2022 –Bassetlaw resigned the Covenant on22nd February 2022 COMPLETED |
|
Consider, ways the business community can become engaged and promote signing up to the Corporate Covenant |
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|
Potential events Officer time |
Engage the business in the community to embed the Covenant principals within their organisations Look for opportunities to recruit reservists and veterans
|
Session on recruiting armed forces personnel had been arranged at the ‘Recruiting Talent’ event on 25th March. This had to be cancelled due to Covid The event was rearranged on 16th September 2021 and the opportunity was taken by the Team to promote awareness of opportunities to recruit Armed Forces leavers and of the Covenant. |
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Work with local businesses to promote offering discounts to members of the Armed Forces |
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Potential events Officer time |
Offer support to Veterans and Reservists Summary to BID / LSP / North Notts Envoys
|
Continue to promote Heroes Welcome in Bassetlaw |
|
Employment and support of Veterans and Reservists |
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Retain the Silver Employer Recognition award and consider Gold |
Stephen Brown / Karen Childs |
2019 |
Officer time |
Raises the profile of the Covenant Demonstrates we are an employer that pledge, demonstrate or advocate support to defence and the armed forces community, and align their values with the Armed Forces Covenant Encourages other employers. |
Silver achieved in March 2018. Renewal due in 2022 An Armed Forces Reservist Employee Policy has been prepared that identifies the support the Council provides to Reservists and their families. The Policy also details the support to Cadet Leaders. APPROVED BY CABINET 10th February 2022 |
|
Look to provide information guidance and support to the Armed Forces Community locally |
|
Ongoing |
Officer time |
Helps veterans with the transition into civvy street Provide easy to understand information by experts Raises awareness |
Armed Forces Champion has provided support to a number of veterans. Discussions on creating a Veterans Hub facility in the district. Case studies on local support are provided in the AFC Annual report. |
|
Proactively explore options to encourage applications for jobs from service leavers |
Karen Childs |
January 2019 |
HR team time |
Military service foster leadership, organisational skills, resilience and many other unique qualities which are a great asset to have in an organisation Veterans have strong technical skills and unique qualities Veterans make highly effective employees Veterans have valuable attitudes and are adaptable Employing Veterans is good for business and society Veterans fill skills gaps |
Council vacancies are promoted through Careers Transition Partnership. COMPLETED |
|
Consider what applications might be relevant to the national funding pot |
Armed Forces Covenant Team |
Ongoing |
Officer time |
Improve service delivery |
|
|
Consider improvements to our Reservist and other Armed Forces employment support policies |
Armed Forces Covenant Team |
January 2019 |
Officer time |
Ensure policies are in line with Covenant principals |
Reservist policy in place. COMPLETED |
|
Promote awareness of the Covenant with partners and other agencies. |
Armed Forces Covenant Team |
Ongoing |
Officer and Member time |
Raise awareness Improve local service provision for Veterans and their families. |
Presentation to Larwood & Bawtry PCN Attendance at Mental Health Café to establish links |
|
Support local Breakfast Clubs where possible |
|
Ongoing |
Member time |
Support to ensure continuing development of BC Raise awareness Provides veterans with a social activity and support of peers |
The Armed Forces Champion has attended Breakfast Club meetings COMPLETED |
|
Remembrance and Commemoration |
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|
Remembrance Sunday |
Cara Hopkinson / Trish Webster |
November 2020 |
Officer and SMT time Costs from Worksop Charter Trustees |
|
Arrangements made to ‘Remember from Home’ with support from the local RBL branches. |
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Events to mark contribution of armed forces |
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Mercian regiment promotion |
|
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Linked with local activities to mark Armed Forces Week in 2021 |
|
Armed Forces Day |
|
June 2019 |
Officer time |
ongoing |
|
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Flag Flying |
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Ongoing |
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|
Armed Forces Day RAF |
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Key events for 2019-2021 |
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Events planned for 2019 |
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RBL Freedom Lt A.F. Pickard VC memorial stone with the Royal Artillery Regiment. |
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Events planned for 2020 |
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Worksop Sea Cadets VE / VJ Days –Virtual Remembrance Sunday – scaled down events. Video clips prepared for social media. |
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Events planned for 2021 |
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Commemoration of centenary of the formation of the Royal British Legion. Remembrance Sunday –return to events. |
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Events planned for 2022 |
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Link with Armed Forces Week Queen’s Platinum Jubilee links |
Last Updated on Friday, March 10, 2023