Support the establishment of the Bassetlaw Veterans Network

Stephen Brown

Spring 2024

Officer time

Meets 3 time a year.

Networking opportunity

First meeting held on 4^th March

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

Network links with AFC in other Notts authorities.

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

Bassetlaw hosting CMPB meeting at Retford on 14^th May

Implement a revised website and maintain/improve, include new covenant branding

Elise Young

Autumn 2024

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.

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

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.

Parish Councils encouraged to sign the Covenant.

Introduce an Armed Forces e-learning module regarding the Covenant for Frontline Staff.

Armed Forces Covenant Team/HR

Autumn 2024

Officer time. Cost of module should be free.

The e-learning module will equip and empower staff with the knowledge and understanding to better respond to the diverse support the needs found within the community.

Evaluating Worcestershire module

Consider, ways the business community can become engaged and promote signing up to the Corporate Covenant

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

Review of Council’s Housing Allocations Policy

Alison Craig

April 2024

Officer time

Recommendations are proposed that will ensure that the Council’s lettings policy meets with statutory guidance, and also cements the Council’s commitment to ex-Armed Forces personnel in line with its Armed Forces Community Covenant.

There are currently 6 applicants who have stated their current accommodation is with HM Forces, and 3 applicants who have identified themselves as ‘bereaved spouse or civil partner of a serving member of the armed forces who has had to leave forces accommodation’

Retain the  Gold Employer Recognition award.

Stephen Brown / Karen Childs

2027

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.

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

Bassetlaw Armed Forces booklet has been updated.

Work with Job Centre Plus

Armed Forces Covenant Team

To ensure armed forces personnel (both regular or reserved) and veterans and their families have access to employment opportunities and benefits advice.

Support the recruitment of ex Forces personnel to Council Vacancies

Karen Childs

Ongoing

Officer Time

The Council is committed to enhancing employment opportunities for the Armed Forces community. We will explore ways in which we can improve and promote the Council’s recruitment offer in order to widen the pool

of applications received from Armed Forces personnel, reservists, and veterans.

Roles are advertised on external job boards including Jobs Go Public and the Ministry of Defences Career Transition Partnership (CTP) Right Job website.

Encourage Council employees to become Reservists or Cadet Leaders

Karen Childs

HR Policies were reviewed in 2022 to provide further support.

To have one member of staff to become a reservist or Cadet Leader per year.

Op Fortitude

Housing/Armed Forces Covenant Team

Ongoing

Officer time

A dedicated referral pathway and national hub for single homeless veterans to access specialist supported accommodation.

Consider what applications might be relevant to the national funding pot

Armed Forces Covenant Team

Ongoing

Officer time

Improve service delivery

Support the Bassetlaw Veterans Hub

Ongoing

Officer and Member time

Provides veterans with a social activity and support of peers

Covenant Team supporting

Promote awareness of the Veteran ID Card and the application process.

Covenant Team

Ongoing

Officer time

Veterans will be able to use their ID card to apply for a Defence Discount Service card and Veterans Railcard.

Remembrance Sunday

Cara Hopkinson / Lisa Dixon

November 2024

Officer and SMT time

Costs from Worksop Charter Trustees.

Support to Retford RBL.

Review meetings of the 2023 events to take place with partners.

Events to mark contribution of armed forces

Mercian regiment promotion

Armed Forces Day

June 2024

Officer time

ongoing

Flag Flying

Ongoing

Ongoing