Issue - meetings

Background:

The report sought approval of the creation of a Medway Armed Forces Partnership Board. Medway Council had signed the Armed Forces Covenant, which was a promise from the nation that those who serve or had served in the Armed Forces, and their families, were treated fairly and wanted to continue to deliver the covenant and support the Armed Forces community in the best way possible.

A Diversity Impact Assessment had been undertaken and was attached at Appendix 2 to the report.

Reasons:

Medway Council has a strong history of supporting the Armed Forces community, but there is significant appetite from both within the Council and external partners to coordinate and do more. The Kent & Medway Civilian Military Partnership Board has demonstrated the power of coming together across a Kent & Medway geography, however setting up a more localised board will enable more focus on the Armed Forces community within Medway.