TOWN councils in Ledbury and Ross-on-Wye will show their commitment to the military next week as councillors sign the Armed Forces Covenant.

Mayors from Ledbury and Ross will sign the covenant in a virtual ceremony on June 25 during Armed Forces Week.

Both mayors will be on screen, with a senior military representative and a spokesperson from the Ministry of Defence to act as master of ceremonies.

This formal declaration shows commitment to honour the Armed Forces Covenant and support the Armed Forces Community.

Ross mayor Daniel Lister said: “I am extremely proud of Ross-on-Wye Town Council in adopting the Armed Forces Covenant and to have been asked to sign it as The Mayor of Ross.

“It’s vital we support, work with and recognise the importance of our armed forces community and I look forward personally, to working with the community during my term as mayor, and with the town into the future.”

In addition, Ross town council has been granted a bronze award in the Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme.

The Armed Forces Covenant is a voluntary statement of mutual support between a civilian community and its local Armed Forces Community.

This Covenant encompasses the moral obligation between the Nation, the Government and the Armed Forces, at the local level.

Ross-on-Wye Town Council will endeavour to uphold the key principles of the Armed Forces Covenant, which are:

  • Members of the Armed Forces Community should not face 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 the most such as the injured or bereaved.
  • Ross-on-Wye town council recognises the value that the Armed Forces community, regular and reserve service personnel, cadet force adult volunteers, service leavers, veterans and their spouses and families bring to our community.

They seek to uphold the principles of this Armed Forces Covenant, by:

  • Encouraging, supporting and enabling the Armed Forces community within Ross-on-Wye, where possible, to help and support the wider community.
  • Recognising and remembering the sacrifices made by the Armed Forces Community.
  • Maintaining the Memorial of the Fallen of the Armed Forces in Ross-on-Wye.
  • Encouraging the continuation of Armistice Day withing the Armed Forces and the wider community.
  • Supporting the ongoing health and well-being of current and ex-service personnel, by, where appropriate, coordinating auxiliary organisations.
  • Encouraging and supporting members of Ross-on-Wye Town Council and their staff to be actively involved as Reservists and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers within the Armed Forces Community.