Dudley Council strengthens its pledge to the Armed Forces Covenant

Dudley Council has proudly renewed and strengthened its commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant — a powerful promise to honour and support those who serve, have served, and their families.

Since first signing the Covenant in 2012, Dudley Council has consistently championed the Armed Forces community, earning a prestigious Silver Award from the Ministry of Defence’s Employer Recognition Scheme in 2021.

This renewed pledge builds on that progress, reflecting new learning, legislation, and deeper local engagement.

By signing the Covenant, Dudley Council is taking clear, practical action to ensure our Armed Forces community is valued and supported by:

• Establishing an Armed Forces Covenant Partnership Board to drive collaboration and accountability
• Appointing a dedicated Armed Forces Champion to amplify the voices of service personnel and veterans
• Guaranteeing fair access to services, support, and opportunities for serving personnel, veterans, reservists, and their families

Chief Executive, Balvinder Heran signed the updated pledge, reinforcing Dudley’s commitment to deliver meaningful support across education, jobs and training, welfare and finance, health, community engagement, and veteran pathways.

Cllr Damian Corfield, Dudley’s Armed Forces Champion, said: “We deeply value the unique contribution of those who serve or have served and their families.

"This renewed pledge is about turning respect into action — ensuring our Armed Forces community feels recognised, supported, and fully included in the life of our borough.”

As an employer, Dudley Council leads by example. We:

• Support reservist employees during mobilisation and demobilisation
• Provide additional paid leave for cadet force adult volunteers
• Champion the employment of veterans and service leavers, offering internal mentors to ease their transition into civilian life

Through this Covenant, Dudley Council is not only recognising the sacrifices made by our Armed Forces community — we are actively building a borough where they are respected, empowered, and celebrated.

For more about the Armed Forces Covenant and what it means for you, visit gov.uk.