In a ceremony held at Theatre at The Mill on Friday 12 April, Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Mark Cooper BEM, along with Chief Executive Richard Baker GM, were joined by Northern Ireland Veterans’ Commissioner, Danny Kinahan DL, as well as representatives from the British Army, Royal Air Force, and Royal Navy.
The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise, by the nation, that those who serve or who have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, should be treated fairly and should not face disadvantage when seeking access to public services in the UK.
Reflecting on the significance of the occasion, Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Mark Cooper BEM commented,
“Today's signing of the Covenant signifies Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council's steadfast commitment to providing unwavering support for our Armed Forces. This commitment goes beyond symbolism; it is reflected in tangible actions across all areas of Council operations.
By signing, we extend a resolute promise to our service personnel, past and present, along with their families, that they will always have our support, both now and in the years to come”.
Councillor Alison Bennington, Veterans’ Champion, said “The Covenant is an excellent initiative that honours the sacrifices made by our Armed Forces community and ensures no member of the serving or Veteran Community suffers disadvantage in accessing the services they need.
As the Veterans’ Champion for Council, I take immense pride in our ongoing efforts. We are actively implementing a new Veterans’ Strategy, aimed at introducing concrete measures to further recognise and support our Armed Forces community.”
One of the primary objectives of the Covenant is to streamline access to assistance and support services for service personnel, their families, and veterans. Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council is committed to facilitating this access, ensuring that those who have served their country receive the support and recognition they rightfully deserve.
For further information on Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council’s Veterans’ Strategy visit https://antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk/residents/residents-community-information/supporting-veterans/