Call for council to back community covenant

Published on 14/07/2012 12:00

A LOTHIANS MP is calling on East Lothian Council to back a community covenant to support armed forces personnel and their families in the county.

Fiona O’Donnell said she was “disappointed” the local authority had failed to sign up to the scheme – which invites communities to apply for funding for projects to strengthen the bonds between the armed forces and the public – despite two neighbouring councils adopting the pledge.

The Royal British Legion successfully campaigned last year to get the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant enshrined in UK law. More than 50 have been signed so far with the Westminster Government allocating £30 million for projects aimed at delivering community covenants.

Ms O’Donnell said: “Community covenants are a terrific way to ensure that the national Armed Forces Covenant is honoured. They’re also a way for local authorities and communities to show their support for armed forces families living locally. I was therefore disappointed to learn that while West and Midlothian Councils had both signed community covenants, the last administration in East Lothian didn’t.

“Later this month I will be meeting with the new leader of East Lothian Council and the council’s chief executive, and I will be encouraging them to sign a community covenant.”