Tamworth Borough Council receives silver award recognition from Defence Employer Recognition Scheme

Council receives employer award for support to armed forces, veterans and their families Policies in place to support the armed forces A lot of hard work has gone into achieving this award

Tamworth Borough Council has been awarded the Silver Award in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.

The council was recognised as a Bronze Award level employer last year and since then everyone involved has been working extremely hard to make the silver achievement possible.

The council signed up to the Armed Forces Covenant 12 years ago and reaffirmed their pledge last year to gain the bronze award.

The council also supports Armed Forces Day and promote being armed forces friendly in policy and practice.

To achieve the silver award, the council have had to provide a lot of evidence called ‘measurements of effect’ to show what they do to support the armed forces and those connected to them.

Tamworth Borough Council have changed some policies to achieve this new status. For example, if military personnel or somebody related to them applies for a job at the council, as long as they meet the minimum requirements for the role, they will automatically have an interview.

This is just one of the ways the council supports the armed forces, with the aim of making things more accessible to the community.

Another policy involves reservists. If the council has any reservists working for them, they will receive an extra ten days additional paid leave to carry out any training required. And if they were called up to active duty, no matter the period of time, their job will be protected.

Other ways we support the armed forces include the funding we give to the sea cadets and how we support the Remembrance Day parade, lighting the castle on key dates such as Armed Forces Day and reservists day.

Lewis Smith, Portfolio Holder for People Services, Engagement and Leisure and Armed Forces Champion for Tamworth Borough Council, said: “I am extremely proud of all the hard work from everybody that has helped us achieve the ERS Silver Award. This is an incredible achievement that aims to provide more equality to everybody.

“Tamworth has strong links with the armed forces, and we are proud to demonstrate we welcome those who have served and their families to our employee community.

“Tamworth Borough Council has committed to the Armed Forces Covenant since 2012 and recognise the commitment to those that have and still remain serving the nation.

“This is a small tribute for the effort and sacrifices made by our armed forces throughout history to protect the freedoms that we enjoy today. We are especially proud of the sons and daughters of Tamworth past and present who have served their country.”