Surrey County Council reaffirms commitment to Armed Forces with re-signing of the Armed Forces Covenant

Surrey County Council (SCC) proudly re-signed the Armed Forces Covenant on Tuesday (10 December 2024) reinforcing its enduring commitment to ensuring fair treatment for all members of the Armed Forces community, including serving personnel, veterans, their families, and the bereaved.

The Covenant was re-signed during a special ceremony witnessed by Full Council on Tuesday 10^th December 2024, underscoring Surrey's longstanding support for its military community. The Chair of Surrey County Council Saj Hussain and Colonel David Kenny OBE, Commander HQ South East, signed the renewed Covenant, symbolising and strengthening further the partnership between Surrey and the Armed Forces.

Having first signed the Covenant on 13 March 2012, Surrey was among the first councils in the UK to formalise its commitment to the Armed Forces. This renewed Covenant reflects an updated approach to addressing the evolving needs of today's Armed Forces community living in Surrey.

Surrey's ties to the Armed Forces are deeply rooted. With 3,920 regular Armed Forces personnel, 720 Reservists (including 28 employed by SCC and Surrey Fire & Rescue), and 625 service families, the county plays a vital role in supporting military operations and communities.

The Covenant ensures that service members and their families are not disadvantaged compared to their civilian counterparts. Colonel Kenny highlighted the significance of the Covenant, particularly given the reduced size of today's Armed Forces, which means only about 2% of the UK population personally knows someone who serves or has served.

"It is fantastic for me to engage with civic leaders across Surrey, a county that plays a leading role in supporting the Armed Forces. From co-hosting Armed Forces Day in 2015 to your ongoing support for military charities and serving communities, Surrey's commitment stands out," he said. "The re-signing of the Covenant and your espousal of initiatives like the Forces Connect Application and Op COURAGE South East are clear evidence of your care for the Armed Forces. For this, we offer our enduring thanks."

Members from all political parties attended the signing ceremony, showcasing their unanimous support for the Armed Forces Covenant. Councillors arrived early before the scheduled start of the meeting to witness the signing, underscoring the significance of the event.

Surrey County Council is proud to support 1,224 service children enrolled in 208 schools across the county. Additionally, initiatives like the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment and partnerships with organisations such as Op COURAGE South East demonstrate Surrey's dedication to meeting the unique needs of the Armed Forces community.

Saj Hussain, Chair of the Council and Chairman of the Surrey Civilian-Military Board, emphasised Surrey's proactive role in supporting the Armed Forces: "Surrey County Council enjoys an excellent relationship with the Armed Forces across Surrey as we work together in partnership with the Armed Forces Community in the provision of education, health, and housing. We are proud to be recognised as a 'Military Friendly Employer of Choice,' having twice received the MoD Employer Recognition Gold Award."

Colonel Kenny concluded: "The re-signing of the Armed Forces Covenant is a reaffirmation of our commitment. It's clear to me that Surrey truly cares."