Bolton Council is one of fifty six organisations from across the North West of England that have been awarded Silver under the Ministry of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme
The Employer Recognition Scheme was launched to reward employers who support Defence People objectives and encourage others to do the same. This includes employing serving and former members of the Armed Forces community, and demonstrating flexibility towards training and mobilisation commitments for Reservists and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers.
As well as establishing an internal, cross-council Armed Forces Network for veterans and facilitating a number of events throughout the year to celebrate those who make up the Armed Forces community, the council continues to make sure it meets its responsibilities, ensuring leave and other policies adequately recognise and support reservists, veterans and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers and also actively promotes the Armed Forces Covenant on its website.
Bolton Council’s Armed Forces Champion, Cllr Ryan Bamforth, said:
“As the new Armed Forces Champion and with 20 years’ service in the Army myself, it is with great pleasure that we can accept this fantastic award on behalf of all the officers and councillors past and present that have worked hard on this.
“It is important we show respect and commitment to our forces and as something close to my heart, I am extremely dedicated to continuing this incredible work in Bolton.”
Leader of Bolton Council, Cllr Nick Peel, said:
“I’m thrilled that Bolton Council has been recognised nationally for the hard work and commitment we have shown as an organisation to promote our responsibilities to veterans, reservists and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers.
“We have a long history in this town of marking and celebrating Armed Forces Week each year, amongst other similar events we deliver that bring the town together and support our local Armed Forces community.”
Commenting on the announcement of the 2023 Employer Recognition Scheme Silver awards; Assistant Chief of Defence Staff (Reserve & Cadets), Major General Marc Overton said:
“I would like to thank and congratulate the recipients of this year’s Employer Recognition Scheme Silver Awards. A Silver award recognises the fantastic efforts of employers throughout the UK who have both elevated their commitments under the Armed Forces Covenant and provided actual benefits to the Armed Forces Community.
“The winners should all be proud of their life-changing impact and fresh opportunities they are providing to our Reservists, veterans and their families. The number of winners this year yet again shows that the Armed Forces family talent pool is also providing tangible business benefit.”