North Yorkshire Council has launched a guide to improve support for serving personnel, veterans, and their families across the county.
The North Yorkshire and York Official Armed Forces Covenant Guide has been produced by collaboration between North Yorkshire Council. with the City of York Council and the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority.
The guide sets out practical steps, contacts, and resources to help local authorities, employers, and community groups deliver meaningful and fair support to those who serve or have served.
The guide was launched at the full council meeting of North Yorkshire Council on Wednesday.
The initiative has been led by Councillor Kevin Foster (above), Green Party councillor for Hipswell and Colburn – home to Catterick Garrison, the largest British Army base in the country.
Cllr Foster said he had spent the past two years working to ensure that the Armed Forces community had voice within the authority.
He said:
“Our armed forces community deserves nothing less than the strongest possible support. Whether someone is transitioning out of service or currently serving, this guide is designed to make sure they can access the help they need, when they need it.
“North Yorkshire has a proud military heritage—especially here in Hipswell and Colburn—and I’m determined to ensure our servicemen, women, and their families are treated fairly and recognised for the vital role they play.”
North Yorkshire Council leader, Carl Les, said:
“I would like to congratulate Kevin as the Armed Forces champion for working on this and helping to drive this forward, I have to say this was at nil cost to this authority other than some officer time in collecting the information, which I hope you would agree is actually a useful exercise in its own in its own right.
“We hope you find it useful in dealing with issues in your communities to do with Armed Forces personnel and particularly veterans.”
The guide is available online at: www.northyorksafdirectory.com/northyorksaforces/desktop/flip/index.html
Printed copies can be requested from North Yorkshire Council’s customer service centre on 0300 1312131.
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