Purpose

To seek approval to sign the Huntingdonshire
District Council Armed Forces Covenant, ensuring  
compliance with statutory duties and alignment with current best
practice.

Decision

The Cabinet has
 
a) 
approved the Huntingdonshire District Council Armed Forces
Covenant, superseding the previous Covenant;
 
b) 
agreed that the Council continues to embed Armed Forces Covenant
principles across relevant policies, services, and employment
practices, where appropriate and proportionate;
 
c) 
agreed that a member of Senior Leadership acts as strategic
sponsor, and that the Council’s appointed Armed Forces
Champion acts as Chair of the Armed Forces Covenant Working Group,
to support effective coordination and governance; and
 
d) 
agreed that an annual progress report on delivery of the Armed
Forces Covenant Action Plan is presented to the Overview and
Scrutiny (Environment, Communities and Partnerships) Panel to
provide assurance, transparency and ongoing oversight.
 

Reasons for the decision

Establishing and signing the Huntingdonshire
District Council Armed Forces Covenant ensures compliance with the
statutory duties set out in the Armed Forces Act 2021 and
anticipates the proposed extension of those duties through
forthcoming legislation.
 
The Covenant formalises the Council’s
commitment to ensuring that serving personnel, veterans and Armed
Forces families are not disadvantaged when accessing services, and
that due regard is consistently embedded within relevant policy and
operational decision-making.
 
Huntingdonshire has a significant Armed Forces
and defence-sector presence, including RAF Wyton and RAF Alconbury.
The Covenant recognises this strategic context and reinforces the
Council’s role as a place leader working collaboratively with
defence partners, the Ministry of Defence and the Cambridgeshire
and Peterborough Armed Forces Covenant Partnership.
 
Signing the Covenant strengthens alignment
with Huntingdonshire Futures and the Corporate Plan by supporting
inclusive communities, workforce transition, economic resilience
and long-term placemaking objectives.
 
The recommended approach provides clarity of
governance through strategic sponsorship and a coordinated working
group, ensuring proportionate delivery, oversight and partnership
engagement.
 
Failure to establish an updated Covenant would
risk reputational impact, reduced partnership influence and
misalignment with evolving national expectations. Approval
therefore ensures the Council demonstrates visible leadership,
statutory compliance and continued support for the Armed Forces
community within Huntingdonshire.

Alternative options considered

Option 1 – Do nothing: This option would
risk misalignment with current legislation and best practice and
would not clearly demonstrate compliance with the Armed Forces Act
2021.
 
Option 2 – Sign the Armed Forces
Covenant (recommended): This option reflects statutory duties,
local delivery arrangements, and partnership working. Ensuring
compliance, clarity, and continued support for the Armed Forces
community.