Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council has been presented with the prestigious Defence Employer Recognition Scheme’s Gold Award.
The scheme encourages employers to support those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, and inspire others to do the same.
It encompasses Bronze, Silver and Gold awards for employer organisations that pledge, demonstrate or advocate support to defence and the armed forces community, and align their values with the Armed Forces Covenant.
Cllr Chris Watkins, Leader of Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council, who received the award at the Going for Gold event at Hartlebury, said:
“It is a great honour for the entire Borough that we have received this major award and recognition for our work.
“We are hugely committed to doing all we can to help our Armed Forces who do a fantastic job not just defending our country, but in many other aspects of life.
“We will continue to do this, and I would also like to thank the dedicated work of the many Council employees which has helped us achieve this high standard.’’
The Council’s activity which has seen the authority receive the Gold Award includes:
- Working diligently to embed good practice in to ensure the authority continues to support our Armed Forces Community
- Providing 10 paid additional days leave for Reservists and one additional paid day’s leave for Cadet Force Adult Volunteers
- Advocating organisations in Nuneaton and Bedworth to sign the Armed forces covenant and regularly attend business network events to promote it
- Human Resources policies including support for mobilised employees – we keep reserved workforce jobs open until their return and offer support regarding training and extra supervision
- Support to Armed Forces families around street renaming – Sergeant Simon Valentine Way and Fusilier Louis Carter Drive
- Long standing offer to regiments to use Town Hall rooms free of charge for regimental events
- Membership of the regional Armed Forces Community Covenant meeting