Public Engagement & Assurance Cabinet Member – Minutes – 21 May 2018
4 (4) NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE ARMED FORCES COVENANT – The Director: Governance and Partnerships submitted a report seeking approval for the relaunch and re-signing of the Armed Forces Covenant by placing a Great War memorial at the Civic Centre, Scunthorpe to commemorate the First World War.
The North Lincolnshire Armed Forces Community Covenant was an agreement of a voluntary pledge of mutual support between a civilian community and its local armed forces. Its aim was to strengthen links between the community and local armed forces personnel, their families and service veterans. The covenant aims were detailed in the report at paragraph 2.2.
The Covenant was a publicly made commitment to support our Armed Forces and a document stating this was prepared and signed before being published. Local partnerships signed with Armed Forces Units and other key stakeholders such as Police, Fire and Rescue, Health and the Voluntary and Community Sector, led by Local Authorities.
The previous Covenant in North Lincolnshire was launched and signed in 2012, it was therefore timely that a relaunch and re-signing ceremony took place this year. It was proposed that the Armed Forces Community Covenant re-signing would take place following the annual flag raising ceremony on 18 June 2018 at the Civic Centre. It would bring together key partners in a display of commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant.
The Leader of the Council would be invited to sign the Covenant on behalf of the Council along with Armed Forces Champions from local partners, as well as military representatives from 146 Divisional Support Company and 4th Infantry Brigade. It was proposed that all reservists and veterans working for North Lincolnshire Council would be invited to attend demonstrating the council’s commitment to its own Armed Forces community.
To further promote the work of the Covenant and Armed Forces day it was also proposed to place a commemorative statue at the Civic Centre. The Armistice Project for the Charity “Remembered” had created the “Tommy” silhouette which has received national publicity. The statue was a 6ft aluminium frame life size sculpture. A photograph was attached to the report. The proposal was to purchase this sculpture to achieve maximum impact and create community pride in North Lincolnshire. The first location was suggested to be outside the Civic Centre on flag raising day and this would be communicated to the general public. It would then be used at the Armed Forces Day as a photo opportunity for those attending. The silhouette would be complimented by an appropriate flower display to also celebrate Armed Forces Day.
It was proposed to take the silhouette to a number of villages and towns across North Lincolnshire where there were rolls of honour for the fallen. Parish and Town Councils would be contacted to arrange for the silhouette to be positioned for a short time. The final resting place for “Tommy” at the end of 2018 could be either the North Lincolnshire Museum in Scunthorpe or Normanby Hall.
Resolved – (a) That the proposal for the re-signing and relaunch of the Armed Forces Covenant on 18 June 2018 at the Civic Centre be approved, and (b) that the proposal to place the Commemorative statue at the Civic Centre and subsequent tour of the statue around North Lincolnshire be approved.
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