BRIGG COUNCILLOR TO CONFIRM AUTHORITY'S COMMITMENT TO SUPPORTING OUR ARMED FORCES

FROM KIRSTY WESTFIELD, NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE COUNCIL

Armed forces and veterans will be honoured at a celebration event on 18 June (Monday) at the Civic Centre in Scunthorpe.
The event will start with a parade through Central Park in Scunthorpe at 10.10am.
The Mayor of North Lincolnshire, Cllr John Briggs, will then raise a flag outside the Civic Centre to support Armed Forces Day at around 10.30am. 

Cllr Rob Waltham (Brigg & Wolds), Leader of North Lincolnshire Council, will re-sign the North Lincolnshire Armed Forces Covenant on behalf of the council at around 11.15am in the Council Chamber.
Joining Cllr Waltham to re-sign the pledge will be Armed Forces Champions from local partners including Humberside Police, North Lincolnshire Clinical Commissioning Group, Department of Work and Pensions, as well as military representatives from 146 Divisional Support Company, North Lincolnshire Veterans' Community Hub and the voluntary and community sector.
North Lincolnshire Armed Forces Community Covenant is a voluntary pledge of mutual support between civilian communities and its local armed forces. Its aim is to strengthen links between the two by:

• Encouraging local communities to support the armed forces community in their areas.
• Nurture public understanding and awareness about the issues affecting the armed forces community.
• Recognise and remember sacrifices made by the armed forces.
• Promote activities which help integrate the armed forces community into local life.
• Encourage the armed forces to help and support the wider community through participation in events, joint projects and other forms of engagement.

The previous Covenant in North Lincolnshire was launched and signed in 2012. With the centenary celebrations this year, it is timely for the pledge to be re-signed. It will bring together key partners in a display of commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant.
In March 2018, the council achieved an award for the Ministry of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme. The Covenant re-signing forms part of the council’s commitment to the scheme and to mark its success in meeting its ambitions to support the armed forces community.
This event marks the start of a number of events in June supporting armed forces and highlighting the council’s commitment to them. Events include the North Lincolnshire Armed Forces Day and Armed Forces Covenant Regional Conference.
North Lincolnshire Armed Forces Day is taking place on Sunday 24 June at Brumby Hall Sports Ground (Scunthorpe). 
The special event will celebrate 100 years since the end of World War One and RAF centenary. 
It will include a military parade, military display, living history exhibitions, re-enactments, live music, cadet village, food and trade stalls – plus much more.
2018 marks a very important year in the history of the UK with the 100 year commemoration since the end of the First World War as well as the anniversary of the founding of the RAF 100 years ago.
Cllr John Briggs, Mayor of North Lincolnshire, said: "It’s a great honour to raise the flag to mark the start of North Lincolnshire’s Armed Forces celebrations this year. It gives us all the opportunity to pay tribute to the armed forces past, present and future.
“The armed forces have protected us for many, many years and it is only right that we commemorate them every year and thank them for all they have done and still do.
“Everyone is welcome to the event and I’d encourage people to come and show their support for the men and women who make an outstanding contribution to this country – and remember those that did.”
Cllr Julie Reed, North Lincolnshire Armed Forces Champion, said: "The council is committed to supporting the armed forces, veterans and their families. The re-signing of the covenant reaffirms this commitment to provide support, raise awareness and recognise the sacrifices they make.
“The flag raising ceremony is a special occasion that brings people together from across the community to honour our brave service men and women.
“This year to further celebrate 100 years since the First World War and the RAF centenary, we are working with the existing North Lincolnshire Armed Forces Day Committee to organise a special Armed Forces Day in North Lincolnshire on 24 June.”

Those signing the covenant include:

• Cllr Rob Waltham, Leader of North Lincolnshire Council
• Denise Hyde, Chief Executive of North Lincolnshire Council
• Jo Corney, District Manager for Department of Work and Pensions (DWP)
• Jo Sugden, Corporate and Compliance Director, Ongo
• Peter May,Chairman, North Lincolnshire Veteran's Community Hub
• Ch Supt Darren Downs, Humberside Police
• Emma Latimer, Chief Officer at North Lincolnshire CCG
• Lt Col J D Torbet, 102 FS BN REME (Army Rep)
• Grp Capt N R Gorman, Cent and East Region Air Training Corps (RAF Rep)
• Carole Phillips, Chief Executive at Voluntary Action North Lincolnshire
• Simon Donnachie, Group Manager North Lincolnshire, Humberside Fire and Rescue Service
• PO (SCC) Clare De LaLoe, Executive Officer, Scunthorpe Sea Cadets 

PICTURED:  A Remembrance Sunday parade in Brigg near the Monument war memorial; inset - Brigg's Coun Rob Waltham (image by Ken Harrison, Brigg Matters Magazine).