NORTH Yorkshire Council will continue to support the armed force through the covenant currently in place, says North Yorkshire County Council (NYCC).

The covenant, first signed in 2011, is enshrined in law to ensure military personnel and veterans have access to services across both the private and public sector.

A spokesperson for NYCC said there are currently 10,770 military personnel in the county – one of the largest numbers nationally.

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The county also has among the highest numbers of veterans, with 29,831 living in North Yorkshire according to data from the 2021 Census. 

Under the Armed Forces Act 2021 a new statutory duty has been introduced to implement the principles of the covenant in the day-to-day delivery of council services, including housing, education and healthcare.

Council leader, Cllr Carl Les, who will also lead the new authority, said the new statutory “presents a timely opportunity” for the new council to “consolidate the good work already undertaken within the county” and “set out the steps it will take to meet the duty going forward”.

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An action plan is due to be established to show how the new council will implement and resource the armed forces covenant’s policy and its key aims and objectives.

Councillors on NYCC’s executive will be asked to adopt the new Armed Forces Covenant policy for the new authority at a meeting today (February 7).