Ulster Unionist Councillor Doug Beattie MC has stated that Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council sent out a positive message on Monday night by passing a motion calling for the adoption of a 'Community Covenant' to increase understanding of the Armed Forces community.
Councillor Beattie MC said:
"Last night Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council sent out a positive message by passing a motion I tabled calling for the Council to adopt a Community Covenant to increase understanding about the Armed Forces community at a local level.
"This is a significant first step and shows that with inclusion and respect, issues which have the potential to be contentious can be dealt with in a rational, inclusive manner.
"With the help of the local community, I will now press on to the next stage to give this motion meaning. It's about delivering from the bottom up and helping those most in need. Some of our veterans are the most vulnerable in society, men and women who served their country and now look to their country for help.
“That means continuing to build relationships and increasing understanding about the Armed Forces and most importantly veterans and their families. No one should be disadvantaged because of their military service. Unfortunately that hasn't been the case and I, with the help of community groups throughout the Borough, intend to change that."
Ulster Unionist Leader, Mike Nesbitt MLA, said:
"I commend Councillor Beattie, not just for what he has done for his colleagues in the Armed Forces community, but also for the way in which he did it, working collaboratively with all, recognising the sensitivities and potential difficulties this Motion posed for others, and securing Council support for the Community Covenant without divisiveness.
"The Covenant is significant on two levels. On one, it gives expression to the moral obligation we have as a society to those who, like Doug Beattie, put themselves in harm's way to defend freedom. Secondly, it ensures no disadvantage is visited upon the Armed Forces community when they live in our midst. It is important to stress this is not about giving anyone an advantage in accessing goods, facilities or services. It is merely to ensure there is no disadvantage. To that end, there is no implication for Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act, which affords protections to minority groups and the vulnerable."
ENDS
Motion:
That Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council adopt a Community Covenant.
A Community Covenant complements, at a local level, the Armed Forces covenant and its aim is to encourage local communities to support the armed forces community within their area and promote understanding and awareness amongst the public of issues affecting the armed forces community. Signatories to a Community Covenant have access to a grant scheme of £10 million per year as part of the Community Covenant Grant Scheme.
The Community Covenant is about building understanding of the Armed Forces in our community and is a positive declaration of intent to ensure those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces and their families are not disadvantaged by that service.
Councillor Doug Beattie MC
Councillor Glenn Barr