Issue - meetings

(a)       That the adopted of a Community Covenant for Flintshire be approved;

(b)       That the signatories as proposed within the report be approved; and

(c)        That the launch of the Community Covenant.

The Chief Executive welcomed Tanya Clancy, Military Civil Integration Officer for 160 (Wales) Brigade to the meeting and invited her to provide a presentation on the Community Covenant for Wales.

            Ms. Clancy provided a detailed presentation on the following areas:-

• Why are we here?
• What is a Community Covenant?
• Aim of the Community Covenant
• What does it do?
• Focus Areas
• Who is involved?
• The Facts v Media Myth
• Service Leavers
• Who has signed up to the Community Covenant in Wales?
• What is the Aim of the Community Covenant Grant Scheme
• Grants

Councillor N.R. Steele-Mortimer thanked Tanya Clancy for the presentation and spoke in support of the report.  He proposed that the County Council support the recommendations as outlined within the report.  In seconding the proposal, Councillor P.J. Curtis also spoke in support of the report and said that as a member of the Nannerch Royal British Legion he would be pleased to report to them Flintshire County Council’s commitment to the Community Covenant.   

Councillor A.P. Shotton, Leader of the Council thanked Tanya Clancy for her presentation and Sharron Jones for preparing the report.  He spoke in support of the report and commented on the opportunity that the Community Covenant presented to reaffirm the Authority’s commitment t the Armed Forces.  He reported that Flintshire would be hosting the North Wales Armed Forces Day event on the 22 June, 2013.

Councillor M.J. Peers outlined his and all Member’s appreciation for the work of the Armed Forces.  He commented on the ‘practical steps’ shown at Appendix 3 of the report and asked that a timetable on when the steps would be completed be provided to Members to ensure that the Community Covenant be introduced as soon as practically possible.  

In response to a question from Councillor Aldridge, Tanya Clancy advised that the term ‘Veteran’ applied to any person who had spend one day or more in the Armed Forces. 

Councillor R.J.T. Guest spoke in support of the report and commented on the need for effective communication with Armed Forces personnel to ensure that the Flintshire Community Covenant met with their needs.

Councillor C. Legg said that the word ‘compliments’ as shown in paragraph 2.03 of the report should be amended to read ‘complements’.

The Chief Executive reported that following formal adoption of the Flintshire Community Covenant a formal public event will be organised with the participation of agencies, as listed within the Community Covenant.  Details of the public event will be provided to all Members in due course.  

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the adopted of a Community Covenant for Flintshire be approved;

(b)       That the signatories as proposed within the report be approved; and

(c)        That the launch of the Community Covenant.