RBC reaffirms its commitment to support members of the Armed Forces
Last updated: 24/7/2025
Rushcliffe Borough Council has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting serving and former Armed Forces personnel and their families.
The authority’s Armed Forces Champion Cllr Jonathan Wheler brought a motion at a Full Council meeting on July 17 highlighting it has been 11 years since the Council first signed up to the Armed Forces Covenant and its support was again backed in a unanimous vote by all Councillors.
He placed on record the Council’s thanks for all those who serve in the Armed Forces, Veterans and their family and friends who support them.
It follows the Council being awarded the Gold Award from the Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) at the end of 2024 that acknowledged its awareness of the variety of transferable skills reservists, veterans and current personnel can bring to the civilian workplace.
The golden endorsement for the Council’s work in Rushcliffe communities is the highest accolade given to employers who demonstrate forces-friendly credentials. This includes a rigorous application process, including adjusting HR policies to allow flexibility for reservists and supporting individuals transitioning out of the Armed Forces into a new career.
The accreditation also recognised that the Council proactively demonstrates that personnel or those in the Armed Forces community are not unfairly disadvantaged as a result of their service.
Cllr Wheeler said: "It is vital the Council builds on its progress of recent years in ensuring our valued members of the Armed Forces are further supported and integrated into our communities.
"We will continue to do everything we can to support those with a military background and to explore further ways we can assist hard-to-reach veterans and families with the support they may require and I thank all Councillors for voting in favour of the motion and Cllr Andy Brown for seconding it.
“The ERS is the highest honour for organisations that have signed the Armed Forces Covenant, recognising employers who actively support the Armed Forces Community in their workplace.
"We introduced a guaranteed job interview scheme for Veterans and Reservists at the Council who meet the essential criteria for a job vacancy and if appointed, a buddy support system helps them settle into their new work place.
“We encourage all employers in Rushcliffe to sign up to the scheme at www.armedforcescovenant.gov.uk “
The news follows another annual successful celebration of the Armed Forces at June’s award-winning Proms in the Park event at Bridgford Park in West Bridgford. The Council scooped the Projects and Events Award at last year’s Nottinghamshire County Council Boots and Beret Awards.