Armed Forces Covenant Duty

As part of the Armed Forces Act 2021, the government introduced legislation to further strengthen the statutory basis of the covenant. This introduces a new duty on public service providers to take due regard of the Armed Forces community when writing policy and making decisions in implementing that policy in relation to healthcare, education, and housing.

In accordance with the legal duty, the council will take due regard of:

1. the unique obligations of, and sacrifices made by, the armed forces
2. the principle that it is desirable to remove disadvantages arising for service people from membership, or former membership, of the armed forces
3. the principle that special provision for service people may be justified by the effects of membership, or former membership, of the armed forces

We aim to make sure that members of the armed forces community have the same level of access to goods, services and support as someone in a similar position who is not a member of the armed forces community, and that any difference does not come from the unique obligations and sacrifices of service life.

Statutory guidance on the new legislation on the government website.

Reading Armed Forces Covenant Partnership

The Reading Armed Forces Covenant Partnership meets every six months, and is an opportunity for armed forces charities, the NHS and other statutory and voluntary organisations to exchange information and work more closely with the council, 7 Rifles and the Cadets. 

Royal County of Berkshire Civilian Military Partnership Board (BCMPB)

The Royal County of Berkshire Civilian Military Partnership Board (RBCMPB) has recently been created to build upon the individual working relationships between the six Berkshire unitary councils, Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS), other civilian agencies and the military community in Berkshire.

The RBCMPB aims to make sure there is appropriate support for the military community (serving personnel (regular and reservists), their families, veterans, including from the Commonwealth, and cadets) who serve, live and work in Berkshire.

The board will maintain good relationships with the Ministry of Defence, 11 Security Force Assistance Brigade, London District and their nominated task force commanders within the county of Berkshire. This will create a joint understanding of each other’s concerns and methods of working to make sure that the military community are not disadvantaged by their service and are given appropriate recognition and status within the county.

The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust

The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust looks after the Armed Forces Covenant Fund, worth £10 million each year, delivering funding programmes that create real change to Armed Forces communities across the UK.

Further details of which funds are currently open and closing dates can be found on the Armed Forces Covenant website.

If you would like to discuss your application or would like further information on the Reading Armed Forces covenant, please contact Jill Marston at jill.marston@reading.gov.uk.

Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme

Reading Borough Council was  awarded the bronze award for the Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme in 2017, which recognises employers who pledge, demonstrate or advocate support to defence and the Armed Forces community, and align their values with the Armed Forces Covenant. We are currently working towards the silver award.