To consider any communications to be submitted by the Mayor or the Chief Executive.
Minutes:
Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award
The Chief Executive reminded Members that the Council had worked hard as part of the Armed Forces Covenant and had pledged to ensure that the Armed Forces Community would not be disadvantaged in accessing the Council’s services after they had served in the military. A commitment had been made to support the Armed Forces Community in Barnsley, therefore she was delighted to announce that the Council had been awarded Gold Standard for its work to support the Armed Forces Community. This was the highest award offered by the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.
The Defence Employer Recognition Scheme encouraged employers to support defence and the Armed Forces Community and inspire others to do the same. The scheme encompassed bronze, silver and gold awards for employer organisation that pledged, demonstrated or advocated support to defence and the Armed Forces Community and aligned their values with the Armed Forces Covenant.
The Council’s Gold Award was based on meeting a number of criteria that showed what the Authority had done toto support the Armed Forces Community.
Some of these included:
· The Armed Forces webpage which had comprehensive information for those who served or had served and their families
· Launching Yorkshire’s very first HM Service Armed Forces Walkway – the only one in the Yorkshire and Humberside region
· Celebrating Armed Forces Day working with Armed Forces Groups to raise the profile and attendance at Community led events
· Implementing Human Resources policies to support serving or ex serving personnel who work for the Council
· Working and leading on projects through the Sheffield City Region Mayor’s Office and all four local Authorities support to homeless veterans
· New training and e-learning packages
The Council was proud that the authority could now use the Gold Standard Logo to celebrate the fantastic work and dedication of the Teams, Members and the Community Groups the Council worked with that supported the Armed Forces Families in Barnsley.
Thanks and congratulations were extended to all those involved.
Councillor Hayward (Armed Forces Champion) on behalf of serving and retired ex serving forces thanked the Council for being an exemplary employer and for the tremendous achievement in being awarded the Gold Standard. He also asked to thank Jayne Hellowell (Head of Commissioning – Healthier Communities) and her Team who had done a massive amount of work to bring this Gold Standard award home to Barnsley.
Councillor Platts (Cabinet Spokesperson for Adults and Communities) echoed the comments made and stated that this was a brilliant outcome for the Armed Forces Community in Barnsley. She also gave a special thanks to Jayne Hellowell who, as an ex forces member herself had brought energy, focus and passion to the Armed Forces Covenant Group. She expressed her thanks to all concerned in achieving this award.
The Mayor also expressed her thanks to everyone who had contributed to this achievement and especially for the work undertaken by the Chief Executive and Councillor Hayward in his capacity as Armed Forces Champion who had been a massive driving force in this.