The Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk is celebrating receiving the highest award available for support of the Defence community.
Having previously held a Silver Award under the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, the council has now successfully achieved a Gold Award. This recognising its support for the Armed Forces Community and the dedicated employment-related support it gives to colleagues who are reservists and veterans who need help securing job roles or training.
West Norfolk is a long-standing signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, providing support and guidance in a number of areas. Several council employees are members of the Armed Forces community, including active reservists.
The Armed Forces Covenant is a pledge to acknowledge and understand that those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, should be treated with fairness and respect in the community, economy and society.
The announcement has been welcomed by the Borough’s Mayor, Councillor Steve Bearshaw, who has 29 years of service in the RAF and is a Norfolk Armed Forces Covenant Board Member. He said:
“As a long-serving member of the RAF, I am genuinely excited to achieve the Gold Award because it’s national recognition of our active support for our incredible local Armed Forces and veteran community who contribute so much to life in the borough.
“Signing the Armed Forces Covenant is something many organisations can do, you can tailor it to your organisation, and it’s a great way for businesses, community groups, public bodies and other organisations to show their mutual support for our serving Armed Forces personnel, reservists, veterans, cadets and their families.”
Kate Blakemore, the Borough Council’s Chief Executive, added:
“In West Norfolk, we are proud to be home to RAF Marham and to have a number of reservists among our own community of colleagues who alongside delivering vital council services also play their part in the defence of our nation.”
At East Anglia RFCA, helping employers to advance through the ERS is a key ‘pillar’ of our work, connecting defence with society across the region.
If your organisation would like to start its own ‘Partnering with Defence’ journey, we would love to hear from you. Get in touch with our Employer Engagement team about working towards Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards. You can also visit the dedicated Employer Engagement page on our website to find out more.
Pictured above at RAF Marham are – Group Captain Leonie Boyd, who passed over the role of Station Commander at RAF Marham earlier this month; Cllr Steve Bearshaw, Mayor of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk; and Group Captain Jim Calvert, Commander Lightning.
