A former soldier-turned councillor is behind a motion which calls for Redcar and Cleveland Council to strengthen its commitment to the armed forces.
Councillor David Taylor, who currently acts as the council’s armed forces champion, said the area had a “strong connection” to the armed forces, while it is understood to have a greater proportion of veterans per head of population than the national average.
Cllr Taylor, who represents the Eston ward, spent five years in the Light Dragoons and is one of the organisers of the annual Remembrance Day parade in Eston. He said the council previously achieved silver status in respect of its adherence to the Armed Forces Covenant, however areas for improvement had been identified and it was hoped to strive for gold status.
The Armed Forces Covenant is a national promise to ensure fairness and respect for those who have served or are currently serving and their families, with its core principle being that no one should be disadvantaged due to their service. Cllr Taylor’s motion, which was passed unanimously at a full meeting of the council, said: “By adopting these proposals, we ensure that veterans, serving personnel, and their families receive the support, respect, and fairness they deserve.”
Veterans can face many challenges after they exit the forces such as mental and physical health problems, social isolation, housing and financial difficulties.
The motion calls for a raising of awareness by promoting the covenant further both within and outside of the council and encouraging more organisations and employers to sign up to it. It also said a dedicated full-time armed forces lead officer should be appointed in a bid to unlock potential funding opportunities, which Cllr Taylor said could potentially be shared with Middlesbrough Council.
Cllr Taylor told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “If the council pays £30,000 a year and perhaps gets £100,000 in value back that is money well spent.” He also gave an example of a veteran he had been helping who was in danger of losing their home because an application to pay for required disability adaptations was turned down.
The motion said “comprehensive guidance” should be offered to veterans on the housing options available to them, while details of a scheme that guarantees veterans a job interview if they meet essential criteria should be included in council job postings.
Cllr Taylor recently had a meeting with the council’s head of legal and head of HR with a view to a plan of action being drawn up in response to the motion. He said: “There are people doing some amazing work.
“One of my old sergeants was on BBC breakfast news just before Christmas talking about the Light Dragoons peer support group that operates and some of the e-mails he has had and links made have been unbelievable. This will go bigger, it’s about what we can do going forward and what it is going to lead to.”
On Sunday (January 19) Cllr Taylor, along with John Martin, of the East Cleveland Veterans Group, has arranged a 12 mile walk, starting at the Garden of Remembrance in Coatham Road, Redcar from 9.45am, and finishing at the Last Post bar and museum in Cranworth Street, Thornaby at approximately 2.30pm, where food and refreshments will be served. Cllr Taylor said: “It is a great chance for people to stretch their legs, enjoy some camaraderie and support their fellow veterans.”
Stop offs will be made at South Bank railway station and outside Middlesbrough FC ’s Riverside Stadium for those wishing to join and walk a shorter distance, or alternatively just meet at the Last Post. For more details on the event visit here
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