Gold award shows commitment to armed forces

The national scheme, run by the Ministry of Defence is aimed at fostering greater relations between military and civilian communities.

In a statement, the four Co-Leaders of the Council said: “In amongst the constant activity of the Council to improve the quality of life for residents in Runnymede, it’s important to remember that some people go above and beyond. People locally and in the Council give their time to help younger residents through cadet groups, or take risks if they are deployed as reserves on active service.

“It’s right to show the wider community that we value those commitments, by making our own pledge as an organisation to back those who serve or support the forces. We’re delighted to have secured the gold award and we hope it speaks to the character of the Council as a whole.”

To secure the gold award, which will formally be presented to representatives of the Council in October, Runnymede Borough Council had to demonstrate it proactively advocates and supports defence, communicating its commitment both internally to employees and externally to the wider community, through policies and examples of support.

Gold award holders demonstrate significant support for reserves, enabling them to fulfil their annual training and mobilisation commitments.

Cllr Shannon Saise-Marshall, the Council’s Armed Forces Champion, said: “It is pleasing to have secured this gold award, the Armed Forces and their families can count on Runnymede to recognise the unique importance they have in our society, today and always.  Well done!”

The Council has taken a number of actions to demonstrate its backing for defence and the military, including serving personnel, their families, reservists, cadets and others supporting the military establishment. These include:

• Creating forces-friendly human resources policies to support staff who are reserves or Cadet Forces Adult Volunteers, including providing extra annual leave.

• Advertising employment vacancies on forces-related job websites and encouraging recruitment of service leavers at the Council.

• Recognising military skills and qualifications in recruitment processes and offering guaranteed interviews for service leavers and cadets who meet basic requirements.

• Providing flexibility in granting leave for service spouses/partners, before during and after a partner’s deployment.

• Hosting a reserves recruitment event to encourage employees to consider joining the reserve armed forces, and encouraging staff to attend Armed Forces Awareness Training.

Andrew Pritchard, Chief Executive of Runnymede Borough Council, is a colonel in the Army Reserve. He said: “Military and civilian organisations have a huge amount to offer each other. By succeeding in our bid to become a gold standard employer at our first attempt we’ve shown that we value that relationship, and the people who make time in their personal lives to support the UK’s defence requirements.”

Further actions the Council has taken to demonstrate its commitment include:

• Promoting the Employer Recognition Scheme to businesses and residents.

• Including criteria around support for armed forces and employing service leavers in the Runnymede Business Awards’ Employer of the Year award.

• Updating the Housing Allocations Policy which waivers the three-year connection to the borough for any serving forces person, bereaved/divorced spouse and seriously injured. 

Read more about the Armed Forces Covenant and Employer Recognition Scheme, and find out how your employer or organisation can get involved.