Council gains top award for supporting the Armed Forces

It comes as the Council has been selected for a Gold Award under the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.

The Gold Award represents the highest badge of honour available to those that employ and support those who serve, veterans, and their families.

In 2012, Hartlepool Borough Council signed the North East Armed Forces Community Charter and established its own Armed Forces Community Covenant, to encourage support from the Armed Forces Community in the town. The Community Covenant was refreshed in 2019, with additional co-signatories from across the private, public and voluntary and community sectors. 

Councillor Shane Moore, Leader of Hartlepool Borough Council, said: “We feel honoured and incredibly proud to receive this recognition for the support we provide to the Armed Forces community.

“So many people from across Hartlepool have served our country with distinction and we are committed to supporting our Armed Forces Community, across its branches and generations.

“The Council also set up an Armed Forces Liaison Group to help ex-service men and women, serving officers and their families get the help and support they need from the Ministry of Defence, statutory providers, charities and voluntary sector.

“Lots of hard work has taken place behind the scenes and I would like to place on record my thanks to the current and former Armed Forces Champion, as well as Council staff for making this award possible.”

Hartlepool Borough Council will be presented with its award at the National Army Museum in November.