logo
Council Retains Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Status

Council Retains Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Status

Conwy County Borough Council has retained its Gold Level Award under the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.
The Defence Employer Recognition Scheme acknowledges employers who have provided exceptional support to the Armed Forces community and defence by going above and beyond their Armed Forces Covenant pledges.
Through a three tier approach of bronze, silver and gold awards, the scheme recognises the different levels of commitment provided by employers. The achievement was marked at an event at Venue Cymru.
Conwy County Borough Council first achieved Gold Level status in 2019, with a requirement for it to be revalidated every five years.
Cllr Liz Roberts is Conwy's Armed Forces Champion, leading on issues affecting the Armed Forces community within the Council.
She said:
'I'm delighted we've retained the Gold Level Award, this accomplishment highlights our collective efforts in creating an environment that supports and sustains armed forces personnel, veterans and their families and Cadet personnel.
'This achievement reflects our unwavering commitment to supporting the armed forces community by advocating on their behalf, and implementing positive human resources policies that prioritise their integration into the workforce.
'We will, as a council and our partners, continue to ensure that those who have served our country receive the support and opportunities they deserve.'
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

MIKE TAPP: 'I have seen first-hand how legacy of those who served in World War II lives on'
MIKE TAPP: 'I have seen first-hand how legacy of those who served in World War II lives on'

Daily Mirror

time3 days ago

  • Daily Mirror

MIKE TAPP: 'I have seen first-hand how legacy of those who served in World War II lives on'

The Labour MP for Dover and Deal Mike Tapp writes for the Mirror on the 80th anniversary of VJ Day, which saw the Second World War end after Imperial Japan surrendered VJ day was the final victory in a war that left in its wake a changed world. Today we honour those who served in the Far East with enduring gratitude. Before being elected as the Labour MP for Dover and Deal, I served in our UK Armed Forces for over 5 years, completing three operational tours, once to Iraq and twice to Afghanistan. I have seen first-hand how the legacy of those who served during the Second World War lives on in our servicemen and women - who serve with the same unwavering dedication. But I have also seen the human cost of conflict - the lives lost, families displaced, and communities fractured. That is why it is so important we remember and honour the service of our VJ Day veterans and hear their stories - to ensure the lessons of the past are never forgotten, and that their sacrifices are never overlooked. As we face an increasingly volatile world, it is also important that our commitment to peace and security is matched by support for those who defend it. This Labour government came into office just over a year ago, with a clear mission and commitment to renewing the nation's contract with those who serve. As part of this, we are putting the Armed Forces Covenant fully into law and have created a new Armed Forces Commissioner. And while there is more to do, I am proud of the progress we've made so far. We are bringing 36,000 military homes back into public ownership and are investing over £7 billion throughout this Parliament to fix long-neglected accommodation. We are making it easier for veterans to access support, with our new VALOUR system ensuring that help with housing, employment and health is more accessible. Our UK Armed Forces got their largest pay rise in over 20 years last year, and it's vital we continue to support them into the future. And just in June, the Prime Minister made an historic commitment at the NATO Summit: to raise national security spending to 5% of GDP by 2035. So, as we mark this important anniversary, let us honour our VJ day veterans, remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice, and recognise the ongoing commitment of our servicemen and women who carry their legacy forward.

MoD refuses to say if Chagos deal counts toward defence spending
MoD refuses to say if Chagos deal counts toward defence spending

Telegraph

time4 days ago

  • Telegraph

MoD refuses to say if Chagos deal counts toward defence spending

The Ministry of Defence has refused to say whether the Chagos Islands deal will count toward its Nato spending target. Labour ministers repeatedly faced questions over whether the £35bn agreement, described as a 'surrender deal' by critics, would be included as part of the newly announced goal of spending 5 per cent of GDP on defence by 2035. The Chagos deal was announced earlier this year as part of a large settlement with Mauritius, which claims sovereignty over the archipelago. Opponents said counting the Chagos payments towards the Nato total would undermine the credibility of the pledge, allowing ministers to claim they were spending more on defence without providing additional resources for the Armed Forces. 'Creative accounting' James Cartlidge, the shadow defence secretary, accused the Government of 'smoke and mirrors', adding that counting the sum towards the target would be 'a total con'. He told The Telegraph: 'With the threats we face, the UK needs to urgently increase defence spending. But this needs to be actual money for our Armed Forces, not smoke and mirrors. 'If Labour were to include the cost of Chagos in their declared Nato spend, that wouldn't just be creative accounting but a total con on the British public, inflating apparent defence spending with a £35bn commitment that makes us weaker. 'Labour must come clean on whether this massive waste of taxpayer's money will be included in our Nato spend.' Asked whether the Chagos payments would count towards the Nato total, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) directed The Telegraph towards an answer given in the House of Lords by Baroness Chapman, a Foreign Office minister. She told peers: 'The payments to Mauritius will be split between the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the MoD. The Nato qualifying status of these costs will be considered in the usual way.'

Council writes off £51k debt after collapse of concert promoter
Council writes off £51k debt after collapse of concert promoter

North Wales Live

time5 days ago

  • North Wales Live

Council writes off £51k debt after collapse of concert promoter

A council has agreed to write off a £51k debt owed to it by a concert promoter that ceased trading in 2023. Conwy Council said it had "exhausted all available routes" to recover the debt owed by Orchard Live Ltd. The promoter brought huge acts to Colwyn Bay for more than a decade as part of the Access All Eirias programme of events. From Sir Tom Jones to Sir Elton John, Paloma Faith to Noel Gallagher, the gigs had brought thousands to the seaside town's Parc Eirias stadium, bolstering the local economy. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox. The venue is owned by Conwy County Borough Council. Orchard Live Ltd went into voluntary liquidation and an official winding up of the business began on September 21, 2023. It had left the council out of pocket for an outstanding sundry invoice. At the council's cabinet meeting on Tuesday (August 12), members were told the council had "exhausted all available routes to recover this debt" and agreed to write it off. The money owed had concerned room hire, kitchen hire and bar concession provided to Orchard Live Limited between July 21 to 23, 2023, totalling £51,186.67, including VAT. It was possible that the council could still receive some money back, but it was not guaranteed and could take years. Since the incident, the council had tightened its invoicing, meaning they were now sent out after 14 days, not 50. Cllr Dilwyn Owain Roberts said officers had "done everything they could" to recover the cash, and thanked them for their "hard work" saying it was "not their fault". He also added that it was possible that some money could still come back, and they could possibly look at retrieving £2,000 of VAT. Cllr Mike Priestley said it was "disappointing" that the company had gone into liquidation and that it "created memories by bringing in superstars and hundreds of thousands of pounds" to the town since 2012. The events had boosted local businesses, given the area "a buzz" and had put Conwy County Borough Council "on the map," he said. He said: "We have had the likes of Olly Murs, Sir Tom Jones, Sir Elton John, Lionel Richie, Bryan Adams, Paloma Faith. "We have had Noel Gallagher, and if you look at what is going on with Oasis at the moment. We attracted them to Colwyn Bay, along with names like Simply Red, although he had upset some people about holiday homes. "I know it is unfortunate what happened, businesses do go into liquidation every day. It is a negative but let's look at the bigger picture for Colwyn Bay. "It's sad to see that this has happened, yes it is a considerable amount of money, yes we need to learn lessons, but let's not let that stop Conwy from putting on events in the future." Cllr Roberts said that meetings with officers and interested parties were underway over the venue's future, adding: "We're already looking at what we can bring in the future." Cllr Nigel Smith added it had been "a successful partnership" which had "bolstered" the economy of Conwy. "It brought cultural events to our residents that had never been seen before," he said. "Sadly, it comes with a bitter taste at the end, but we shouldn't let that spoil what came before. It's a bit sad but I am very pleased we are looking to continue. "It would be great to have some major acts back at Eirias. It's a fantastic facility that gives our residents the opportunity to see big acts without having to travel outside of Wales to the big cities like Manchester and Birmingham." Cllr David Carr added: "Some of the events were brilliant, we need to put events on like those again... we need to get over this and get events on again." Council leader Cllr Charlie McCoubrey said it had been a "fruitful relationship" from 2012 onwards, but that after Covid, a lot of things had changed. "There were lots of memories, lots of economic benefits to the area," he said. "We just need to make sure that any contracts we take now are fit for 2025/26 not what we would have done in 2012." Public notices in your area

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store