08/02/22: Cabinet approves new commitment to Armed Forces Covenant

Breckland Council's Cabinet members have voted to approve two new measures which will enhance support available to members of the Armed Forces community. It is part of our recently announced commitment to achieve Gold Award status within the Armed Forces Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.

The first measure is to extend special leave from two weeks to four weeks, for employees who are reservists and wish to attend annual camp. This matches the Ministry of Defence's example mobilisation policy.

The second measure is to guarantee a job interview to any applicant who meets the minimum criteria for the role, if they are currently or ever have been part of the Armed Forces.

We currently hold the Silver Status in the scheme which was launched in 2014 by then Prime Minister David Cameron. The scheme recognises organisations who pledge, demonstrate and advocate their support for the Armed Forces Community. 

To be awarded a Gold status, organisations must proactively demonstrate that they advocate the benefits of supporting those within the Armed Forces community, encouraging others to sign the Armed Forces Covenant and to engage in the Employer Recognition Scheme.

Cllr Ian Sherwood, Breckland Council's Executive Member for People, Communications and Governance, said: "As employers, we want to proactively show our support for current employees who may want to become reservists by matching the MOD's leave policy. We also want to make Breckland Council an employer of choice in this region for anyone who has served, by adopting this policy to guarantee an interview to any suitable applicant. I myself have been a reservist officer and I know personally the difference a supportive employer can make. In this way we can recognise the debt of gratitude we owe our current and former service men and women."