SUNDERLAND CITY COUNCIL has received official recognition from the military for its support of the armed forces.
At a Ministry of Defence presentation evening at the Beamish Hall Hotel, the City Council was awarded with a Silver Employer Recognition Award.
It was presented to Deputy Leader and Armed Forces Champion of Sunderland City Council, Councillor Harry Trueman, by Commander 4 Infantry Brigade, Brigadier Jez Strickland.
Brigadier Strickland said: “The Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) rewards and recognises UK employers and organisations for their support and commitment towards defence.
“The scheme encompasses bronze, silver and gold awards for employer organisations that pledge, demonstrate or advocate support to defence and the armed forces community, and align their values with the Armed Forces Corporate Covenant.
“Silver Award holders demonstrate an exceptional level of support for defence and employ at least one member of the armed forces community; these organisations actively communicate and uphold a positive stance to their employees via established workplace policies and procedures.
Brigadier Strickland added: “They show flexibility towards reservist employees’ training and mobilisation commitments and support the employment of cadet instructors, armed forces veterans (including wounded, injured and sick) and their families.
Councillor Trueman was accompanied by Director of Human Resources and Organisational Development, Sue Stanhope, Head of Housing, Support and Community Living, Alan Caddick and Relationships Manager from Corporate Affairs, Jill Rose.
Cllr Trueman, who also supports the Sunderland Armed Forces Network established after the city signed the Armed Force Covenant in 2012, said: “I’m incredibly proud to receive this award on behalf of the city,
“Sunderland City Council works in partnership with Veterans’ groups and serving personnel, to promote and protect the interests of the 26,000 people living in the city with service records.
“We share a commitment to help those who have served our country with such distinction, return to life in our communities with the opportunities they need to develop their skills through work, training and education.”
Councillor Trueman added: “The City Council working with the Armed Forces Network provide that support mechanism, with everyone working together to promote and protect the interests of our veterans and their families, and Silver Employer Recognition Award is testament to what is being achieved.”
