Bury receives national award for its armed forces support

Friday, 11 November 2022 20:02

By David Murphy

Cllr Richard Gold (centre) is presented with the Silver award by Diane Hawkins, the Lord Lieutenant of Greater Manchester, and Colonel Darren Doherty, Commander Army HQ North West.

Bury Council has been presented with a Silver award from the Ministry of Defence for actively supporting the armed forces community in its workplace.

The Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) encourages organisations which champion the armed forces and encourage others to follow suit. This includes employing serving and former members of the armed forces community, and demonstrating flexibility towards training and mobilisation commitments for Reservists and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers.

Bury Council, which already had Bronze status, had to meet a range of criteria to receive Silver, including signing the Armed Forces Covenant which pledges to give serving members, veterans and their families the support they need and deserve.

Councillor Richard Gold, cabinet member for finance and communities and armed forces champion, said: “Bury has a long and proud military heritage, and we are determined to look after our armed forces, veterans and their families. A key part of that is ensuring that they have opportunities for employment, and time to carry out their reservist duties. I’m proud that we have been recognised for putting these policies in place, and we’re now determined to go for the Gold award.”

Bury Council and NHS Bury CCG signed the Armed Forces Covenant last November. This is an important part of their inclusion strategy and wider commitment to supporting all of Bury’s communities through the Let's Do It initiative.

To read more about what this means for service personnel and veterans, go to https://www.bury.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=16267