Havant Borough Council
Source: gov.uk (2025-11-10)

We, the undersigned, commit to honour the Armed Forces Covenant and support the Armed Forces Community. We recognise the value Serving Personnel, both Regular and Reservists, Veterans and military families contribute to our business and our country.

The Armed Forces Covenant

An enduring covenant between the people of the United Kingdom, Her Majesty’s Government and all those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces of the Crown and their families

The first duty of Government is the defence of the realm. Our Armed Forces fulfil that responsibility on behalf of the Government, sacrificing some civilian freedoms, facing danger and, sometimes, suffering serious injury or death as a result of their duty. Families also play a vital role in supporting the operational effectiveness of our Armed Forces. In return, the whole nation has a moral obligation to the members of the Naval Service, the Army and the Royal Air Force, together with their families. They deserve our respect and support, and fair treatment.

Those who serve in the Armed Forces, whether Regular or Reserve, those who have served in the past, and their families, should face no disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public and commercial services. Special consideration is appropriate in some cases, especially for those who have given most such as the injured and the bereaved.

This obligation involves the whole of society: it includes voluntary and charitable bodies, private organisations, and the actions of individuals in supporting the Armed Forces. Recognising those who have performed military duty unites the country and demonstrates the value of their contribution. This has no greater expression than in upholding this Covenant.

Section 1: Principles of the Armed Forces Corporate Covenant

1.1 We Havant Borough Council will endeavour in our business dealings to uphold the key principles of the Armed Forces Covenant, which are:
- no member of the Armed Forces Community should face disadvantage in the provision of public and commercial services compared to any other citizen;
- and in some circumstances that special treatment may be appropriate especially for the injured or bereaved.
Section 2: Demonstrating our commitment

2.1 Havant Borough Council recognises the value serving personnel, reservists, veterans and military families bring to our business. We will seek to uphold the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant, by pledging to the following:
- Armed Forces Friendly
- UK Service Veterans And Leavers
- UK Service Spouses And Partners
- Flexible Leave For Spouses
- UK Reservists
- UK Cadets
We also pledge the following:

Recognising and remember to support and attend remembrance events including Armed Forces Day across the Borough; Health and wellbeing ensure information is relevant and accessible relating to housing, communication and support services (via a signposting service) Employability and education support veterans and their families to identify education opportunities and maximise their employability Economic development the council will advocate the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme by encouraging other employers to engage in the scheme. Leisure and recreation the council will promote sport and physical activity related programmes and initiatives and encourage the use of and promote open space, leisure facilities and health related programmes to the Armed Forces community. Robust communication channels maintained between the Armed Forces community and Havant Borough Council At least once a year, the signatories will review the measures they are taking to implement the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant and consider if further actions would be helpful Havant Borough Council is firmly committed to equality and diversity. We endeavour to ensure fairness for all and pay particular attention to: Eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment, victimisation and any other conduct that is prohibited by or under the Equality Act 2010. Advance equality of opportunity between persons who share a protected characteristic and those who do not and; Foster good relations between persons who share a protected characteristic and those who do not share it.

2.2 We will publicise these commitments through our literature and/or on our website, setting out how we will seek to honour them and inviting feedback from the Service community and our customers on how we are doing.