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Armed Forces Covenant and Community Covenant

A formal published “Ministerial Decision” is required as a record of the decision of a Minister (or an Assistant Minister where they have delegated authority) as they exercise their responsibilities and powers.

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A decision made on 5 December 2014:

Decision Reference: MD-HA-2014-0069

Decision Summary Title :

Armed Forces Covenant and Community Covenant

Date of Decision Summary:

4 December 2014

Decision Summary Author:

 

Executive Officer

Home Affairs

Decision Summary:

Public or Exempt?

(State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)

Public

Type of Report:

Oral or Written?

Written

Person Giving

Oral Report:

n/a

Written Report

Title :

Armed Forces Covenant and Community Covenant

Date of Written Report:

4 December 2014

Written Report Author:

Executive Officer

Home Affairs

Written Report :

Public or Exempt?

(State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)

Public

Subject: Introduction of an Armed Forces Covenant and Community Covenant in Jersey.  Report and Proposition.

Decision(s): The Minister decided to lodge a Report and Proposition requesting the States to endorse the decision of the Council of Ministers to support the introduction of an Armed Forces Covenant and Community Covenant in Jersey and to endorse their decision that the Minister for Home Affairs should fulfil the role of Political Representative and Chairman of the Steering Group.

Reason(s) for Decision: The Covenant aims to bring military and civilian communities together and to acknowledge the sacrifice that members of the armed forces community have made and redress the disadvantages that they face.

Resource Implications: Any additional manpower requirement will be met from within existing resources.  There will be the opportunity for the Island to apply for grants from the £30 million Community Covenant Grant Scheme in the UK.

Action required: The Executive Officer, Home Affairs, to request the Greffier of the States to arrange for the attached Report and Proposition to be lodged ‘au Greffe’ for consideration by the States on 20 January 2015.

Signature:

 

 

Position:

Minister for Home Affairs

Date Signed:

 

Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):

 

Armed Forces Covenant and Community Covenant

 

 

PROPOSITION

 

ARMED FORCES COVENANT AND COMMUNITY COVENANT

 

THE STATES are asked to decide whether they are of opinion

 

to endorse the decision of the Council of Ministers to support the introduction of an Armed Forces Covenant and Community Covenant in Jersey (as set out in the Appendix) and to agree that the Minister for Home Affairs should be responsible for fulfilling the role of ‘Political Representative’ and Chairman of the Steering Group to be established under the Covenant.

 

 

 

 

MINISTER FOR HOME AFFAIRS


REPORT

 

In the United Kingdom, the Armed Forces Covenant sets out the relationship between the nation, the state and the armed forces.  It recognises that the nation has a moral obligation to members of the armed forces and their families and it establishes how they should expect to be treated.

 

The Covenant exists to redress the disadvantages that the armed forces community faces in comparison to other citizens and recognises the sacrifices that they have made.  More recently, Community Covenants are being signed to help to bring military and civilian communities together.

 

Community Covenants complement, at a local level, the Armed Forces Covenant.  The aim is to encourage local communities to support the service community in their area and promote understanding and awareness among the public of issues affecting the armed forces community.

 

The Community Covenant aims to:

 

  • Nurture understanding and awareness of issues affecting the armed forces community
  • Recognise and remember the sacrifices faced by the armed forces community
  • Encourage activities which help to integrate the armed forces community into local life
  • Encourage the armed forces community to help support the wider community

 

It is not intended that the scheme will be identical in all local communities. The nature of the support will be determined by both need and capacity.

 

The draft Community Covenant between the States of Jersey; representatives of the charitable and voluntary sectors; the civilian community of the Island of Jersey; and the armed forces community in the Island of Jersey, is attached.  This provides further information about the principles, objectives and undertakings of the scheme.

 

The former Minister for Home Affairs took a report to the Council of Ministers in June 2014, at the request of the Chief Minister, to introduce the Armed Forces Covenant and Community Covenant to Jersey.  The Council of Ministers agreed that it was prepared to support the introduction of an Armed Forces Covenant and Community Covenant to Jersey and delegated to the Minister for Home Affairs responsibility to fulfil the role of ‘Political Representative’ and Chairman of the Steering Group to be established under section 4 of the Scheme.

 

The Steering Group will review support to the Armed Forces and the community in the areas of employment of reserves; health; social security; housing; income tax; education and Parish relationships.

The community covenant will be signed by His Excellency The Lieutenant Governor, on behalf of the Military Community; the Bailiff, on behalf of the people of Jersey; the Minister for Home Affairs, on behalf of the Government of Jersey; a representative from the Armed Forces; the Chairman of the Royal British Legion and the Chairman of the Association of Jersey Charities.

 

 

Financial and Manpower implications

 

Members will note that the Covenant provides for the appointment of a Forces Welfare Officer.  This post will be funded by the Ministry of Defence, through Veterans UK.  The Covenant also references the funding of a Cadet and Military Support Officer.  This Officer is already in post, so there will be no additional manpower implications.  The remaining manpower implications (membership of the Steering Group and secretarial support thereto) can be met from within existing resources. 

 

The Community Covenant in the UK includes a £30 million Community Covenant Grant Scheme.  Details of how to bid and the qualifying criteria can be found at www.gov.uk/community-covenant-grant-scheme.  It is understood that the Channel Islands are eligible to apply for grants from this scheme.  There will be no additional financial implications arising from the adoption of this Report and Proposition. 

 

1

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ARMED FORCES COVENANT

 

AND

 

COMMUNITY COVENANT

 

 

BETWEEN

 

The

 

Government of Jersey

 

 

The Armed Forces Community of Jersey

 

 

The Civil Community of the Island Of Jersey

 

 

Representatives of the Charitable and Voluntary Sectors in Jersey,

 

 

 

 

We, the undersigned, agree to work and act together to honour The Armed Forces Covenant and Community Covenant.


 

Signatories

 

His Excellency, The Lieutenant – Governor, On behalf of the Military Community

 

The Bailiff On Behalf of the People of Jersey

 

The Minister for Home Affairs (on behalf of the Government of Jersey)

 

The Armed Forces Representative

 

The Chairman of the Royal British Legion

 

The Chairman of the Association of Jersey Charities

 

 

 

 


 

SECTION 1: PARTICIPANTS

 

1.1                             This Armed Forces Covenant and Community Covenant is made between:

 

Government of Jersey.

 

And

 

The serving and former members of the Armed Forces and their families working and residing in Jersey

 

The Charitable and Voluntary Sector of Jersey

 

And

 

The Civil Community of Jersey

 

 

SECTION 2: PRINCIPLES OF THE ARMED FORCES COVENANT AND COMMUNITY COVENANT

 

2.1 An Armed Forces Covenant and Community Covenant is a voluntary statement of mutual support between the Civilian Community of Jersey and its local Armed Forces Community. It is intended to articulate the moral obligation between the Island, the Government of Jersey and the Armed Forces locally.             

 

2.2 The purpose of this Armed Forces Covenant and Community Covenant is to encourage support for the Armed Forces Community working and residing in Jersey and to recognise and remember the sacrifices made by members of this Armed Forces Community. This includes in-Service and ex-Service personnel, their families and widow(er)s in Jersey.  

 

2.3 For the Government and Civil Community of Jersey and partner organisations, the Armed Forces Covenant and Community Covenant presents an opportunity to bring their knowledge, experience and expertise to bear on the provision of help and advice to members of the Armed Forces Community.  It also presents an opportunity to build upon existing good work on other initiatives.

 

2.4 For the Armed Forces Community, the Armed Forces Covenant and Community Covenant encourage the integration of service life into civilian life and encourage members of the Armed Forces Community to help their local island community.

 

 

SECTION 3: OBJECTIVES AND GENERAL INTENTIONS

 

Aims of the Armed Forces Covenant and Community Covenant

 

3.1 The Armed Forces Covenant and Community Covenant defines the enduring, general principles that should govern the relationship between the Civil Community of Jersey, the Government of Jersey and the Armed Forces Community.

 

3.2 It aims to encourage all parties within the island community to offer support to the local Armed Forces Community and make it easier for service personnel, families and veterans to access the help and support available from statutory providers, MOD and from the Charitable and Voluntary Sector. These organisations already work together in partnership at local level.   

 

3.3 The scheme is intended to be a two-way arrangement and the Armed Forces Community are encouraged to do as much as they can to support their island community and promote activity which integrates the service community into island life.  

 

SECTION 4: Measures

 

4.1 Support the Appointment of the Forces Welfare Officer (funded by the MOD through Veterans UK)

 

Principal Accountabilities:

 

Management of War Pensions on behalf of the Veterans UK

 

Overseeing the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme

 

Ensure equitable medical treatment for veterans and service who live in Jersey

 

Signpost to veterans and service personnel to other service charities such as SSAFA and the British Legion

 

Support the Minister for Home Affairs

 

4.2 Fund a Cadet and Military Support Officer (CMSO). 

 

Principal Accountabilities:

 

 Support all Jersey Cadet Organisations

 

 Act as the Tri Service POC for service personnel visiting Jersey

 

 Assist the Officers of the States by helping organise public events

 

  Support the Minister for Home Affairs

 

4.3 Minister for Home Affairs

 

Principal Accountabilities:

 

Set up a steering group under the chairmanship of the Home Affairs Minister and undertake to review support to the Armed Forces and the community in the following areas:

 

 Employment of Reserves 

 

 Health

 

 Social Security

 

Housing

 

Income Tax

 

Education

 

Parish Relationships

 

The Steering Group should consist of:

 

Minister for Home Affairs-Chairperson (on behalf of the Government of Jersey)

 

Group Secretary: Home Affairs Department Representative

 

Bailiff’s Chief Officer

 

Military Representative: OC Jersey Fd Sqn RE (M).

 

Lieutenant Governor’s Representative:  CMSO

 

Social Security Representative

 

Health Representative

 

Sailors, Soldiers, Air Force Association (SSAFA) Representative

 

British Legion Representative

 

Parish Constables Representative

 

The Steering Group should meet at least bi-annually and may co-opt other parties and form sub-groups as deemed necessary by the Chairperson.

 

 

 

CONTACT PERSONNEL AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS

 

MOD DCDS (Pers&Trg) Covenant Team

 

Email address:          covenant-mailbox@mod.uk

  Address:   DCDS (Pers) Covenant Team

     Zone D, 6th Floor

     Ministry of Defence

     Main Building

     Whitehall

     London

     SW1A 2HB

 

 

 

In-Service representative(s)

 

Contact Name:  Major Nick Spratley

 Title:    HM Forces Support and Welfare Officer (Veterans UK)

Telephone:  01534 447401

  Address:   Social Security Department, St Helier, Jersey, JE4 8PE

 

Contact Name:  Major Danny Wright

 Title:    Cadet and Military Support Officer

Telephone:  01534 441703

  Address:   Government House, Jersey JE2 7GH

 

Home Affairs Department:

 

Contact Name:          Minister for Home Affairs

        Title:                          Home Affairs Department

        Telephone:                 01534 445507

 Address:                    23 Hill Street, St Helier, Jersey,  JE2 4UA

 

Charities

  

Contact Name:  Royal British Legion 

Title:    

Telephone:  01534 723469

  Address:   2-4 Great Union Street, St Helier, Jersey, JE2 3YD

 

 Contact Name:  Association of Jersey Charities

 Title:    

 Telephone   01534 840138

 Address:   PO Box 356, St Helier, Jersey, JE4 9YZ


THE ARMED FORCES COVENANT

 

 

An Enduring Covenant Between

 

Civil Community of Jersey

 

The Government of Jersey

 

       and 

 

All those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces of

The Crown

 

And their Families

 

 

The first duty of Government is the defence of the realm. Our Armed Forces fulfil that responsibility on behalf of the Government, sacrificing some civilian freedoms, facing danger and, sometimes, suffering serious injury or death as a result of their duty. Families also play a vital role in supporting the operational effectiveness of our Armed Forces. In return, the whole island has a moral obligation to the members of the Naval Service, the Army and the Royal Air Force, together with their families. They deserve our respect and support, and fair treatment.

 

Those who serve in the Armed Forces, whether Regular or Reserve, those who have served in the past, and their families, should face no disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public and commercial services. Special consideration is appropriate in some cases, especially for those who have given most such as the injured and the bereaved.

 

This obligation involves the whole of society: it includes voluntary and charitable bodies, private organisations, and the actions of individuals in supporting the Armed Forces. Recognising those who have performed military duty unites the community and demonstrates the value of their contribution. This has no greater expression than in upholding this Covenant.

 

 

 

 

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