TAMESIDE Council has once again retained it Defence Employer Scheme gold award – an honour it has held since 2019.
The scheme, which is operated by the Government, encourages employers to support defence and inspire others to do the same. Tameside takes part under the terms of the armed forces covenant, which it signed in 2012, and through its work with the Tameside Armed Services Community.
Gold award-winners have to show they are forces-friendly in terms of their recruitment and selection processes, ensure their workforce is aware of their positive policies towards defence people issues, encourage a positive environment for reservists and support the cadet movement.
Cllr Hugh Roderick, Tameside Council’s armed forces champion, said: “I am very proud that we have retained our gold status for a fifth year and that our work to support past, present and future members of the services has once more been recognised by the Government.
“The revalidation of our gold award acknowledges our long-term commitment to the armed forces community and highlights our sustained support to implementing forces-friendly initiatives.
“Tameside has a long, deep and very close relationship with the armed services, as was shown by the huge turn-outs at our recent remembrance services and ceremonies where our excellent cadet forces were very much in evidence.
“That relationship is something I am determined to maintain.”
Tameside Council salutes the services every June when it hosts an Armed Forces Day celebration in Victoria Park, Denton.
The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment and the Mercian Regiment both hold the freedom of the borough, which entitles them to march through Tameside with bands playing, drums beating and colours flying.