West Lothian agrees forces covenant link

A HISTORIC agreement which aims to forge stronger links between the West Lothian community and the armed forces has been signed.

Representatives from the military and various public, charity and voluntary sector organisations in West Lothian came together to add their names to the West Lothian Armed Forces Community Covenant.

The covenant is aimed at encouraging local organisations to support the armed forces community, while servicemen and women will be encouraged to do as much as they can to support the communities in which they live.

They will also promote activities which help integrate the service community into civilian life.

West Lothian Council, West Lothian Business and Commercial Sector, West Lothian Association of Community Councils, West Lothian Voluntary Sector Gateway, West Lothian College, Jobcentre Plus and NHS Lothian were among those that endorsed the document.

West Lothian Council’s chief executive Graham Hope said: “West Lothian has always enjoyed a strong relationship with the armed forces, and this covenant will help further develop these bonds.”

The Ministry of Defence has set up a Community Covenant grant scheme, to help put the aims of the agreement into action.

Applications for funding have been encouraged.