Cllr Philip Atkins and Brigadier Mark Banham signing the covenant
Cllr Philip Atkins and Brigadier Mark Banham signing the covenant

Civic and community leaders have visited the National Memorial Arboretum near Lichfield to sign a new commitment to support the armed forces.

Staffordshire County Council along with other public sector bodies, local businesses and community organisations joined military representatives in signing Staffordshire’s first Armed Forces Community Covenant.

Cllr Philip Atkins and Brigadier Mark Banham signing the covenant
Cllr Philip Atkins and Brigadier Mark Banham signing the covenant

The official declaration aims to build a relationship where the military receives support from the community who in return offer their skills and expertise to benefit local people

Leader of Staffordshire County Council, Philip Atkins said: “This was an important and significant day in Staffordshire County Council’s history. As a long-standing supporter of the Armed Forces I am very proud to be part of the county’s first covenant.

“Staffordshire has a strong connection with our armed forces, with large bases in Stafford and Lichfield, and we will soon be welcoming even more personnel and their families to the county.

“It’s our hope that by bringing together these civilian bodies and military organisations, the community covenant will strengthen our existing relationships. We already work closely together and this agreement will further our understanding of the needs of the armed forces and how best to serve them.

“We know the return to civilian life is a life changing experience. This is why the covenant matters.”

Brigadier Mark Banham MBE, Commander of 143 (West Midlands) Brigade, added: “The signing of this covenant is a tangible recognition of the close relationship that exists between the county of Staffordshire and the military units that are based within it.

“This partnership will formalise that linkage and allow us to better assist the community in supporting our servicemen and women, and their families, at a time when we continue to ask them to stand on the frontiers of our freedoms.”