Portsmouth is known as the “leading council in the whole country” for its support for veterans
Portsmouth is known as the “leading council in the whole country” for its support for veterans, a council leader has said.
In a recent full council meeting, members discussed a notice of motion on the work Portsmouth City Council does to support veterans.
Council leader Steve Pitt, who proposed the motion, said there is often a “misunderstanding about the amount of support that PCC offers to our veteran community and I think it’s really sad because Portsmouth is known as the leading council in the whole country for the support that it gives to veterans”.
He added: “It’s difficult when there is a narrative that the council doesn’t care about veterans because that is absolutely not the case.”
He said the government initially invited the council to join the VALOUR scheme but it declined because “we didn’t think it was good enough”, which led the government to reflect and change the initiative.
The motion highlighted the council’s role the Solent Armed Forces Covenant Partnership, justice services and charities to improve access to help and consistency of care. It is also prioritising veterans in its homelessness strategy, supporting service families, and has secured a national award for forces friendly employment.
The council welcomed plans to extend the Armed Forces Covenant in law, but warned there is no extra funding despite added pressure on local authorities.
The Armed Forces Covenant is a UK promise ensuring Armed Forces Covenant members and families are treated fairly and not disadvantaged by service.
The council will ask its Armed Forces Champion to write to the Veterans Minister backing the Royal British Legion’s “Keep the Covenant Promise” campaign, calling for clearer guidance and funding, a national awareness drive, and stronger monitoring and redress to ensure the expanded Covenant Duty is delivered.
For the next Armed Forces Champion in the coming municipal year, Cllr Jason Fazackarley described Cllr Joe Standen as the “ideal choice” as a Royal Marine veteran.
“He’s got direct experience of serving his country. He was wounded during the course of that service and he’s established many contacts across the military family.”
A Royal British Legion spokesperson said: “The Royal British Legion welcomes that every council in Britain has signed the Armed Forces Covenant, and that Portsmouth Council engages proactively through the Solent Covenant Partnership Board.
“In addition, the RBL welcomes the extension of the Covenant legal duty, something that we have long campaigned for. We are pleased that the Armed Forces Bill, currently passing through Parliament, will extend the scope of the duty to more policy areas, including national Government departments.”
More information about support available can be found on the council website.