Ulster Unionist Councillor Doug Beattie MC has welcomed the Government’s decision to promote the Armed Forces Community Covenant Grant Scheme openly within Northern Ireland via the Ministry of Defence website, with applications assessed locally at Thiepval Barracks in Lisburn.
Councillor Beattie, who represents Portadown, and who is the Armed Forces Representative for Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council, said:
“I welcome the fact that at last the practice of support to our service community being provided through the back door has come to an end. Since the Armed Forces Covenant was introduced in the United Kingdom in 2011 very little was seen to be done to support veterans in Northern Ireland.
“Instead of open and transparent support to promote the moral component amongst veterans, a culture of secrecy developed with support being provided through the back door - as if our veterans shouldn’t talk about their service or seek support.
“Although delivering some aspects of the covenant such as health, education and housing will remain challenging as they are devolved functions, there are other practical measures which can now be initiated to support our ex-service community.
“Due to an initiative started by the Ulster Unionist Party at their annual conference in 2014, three of the eleven councils in Northern Ireland have signed up to the Armed Forces Community Covenant. Other councils will be voting on this key component of the Armed Forces Covenant in the coming months.
“I sincerely hope that cross community support will be forthcoming to help promote this as a positive step away from conflict and help foster reconciliation. By openly recognising the positive contribution to the defence of the United Kingdom by those service personnel in Northern Ireland, we can help develop and promote a culture of understanding.
“For the first time the Ministry of Defence website gives details of the community covenant grant scheme in an open and clear manner. All communities in Northern Ireland can now apply for funding to support integration while recognising the unique circumstances Armed Forces Veterans face on completion of their military service. Applications will be assessed by a regional and devolved administration board which, for Northern Ireland, will be set up at 38(Irish) Brigade in Thiepval Barracks, Lisburn. Further details can be found via the following link.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covenant-fund-guidance-on-how-to-apply
“It is now important that community groups and service charities look to the future to see how they can best support our Armed Forces community. With £10 million available each year, throughout the United Kingdom for the next 25 years, there is a real opportunity to develop plans at grass roots level for community and Armed Forces integration beyond the realm of remembrance and reflection.
“As the Armed Forces Representative for Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council, I stand ready alongside my colleagues from other parties, to support any group that may need assistance in developing plans or applying for funds. I shall also be taking forward a number of projects in my own council area to develop support for the forces community, aid integration and understanding and remove the deep rooted barriers that exist with some communities.”