An Army reservist who balances military service with her role at North Yorkshire Council has praised the authority after it received an award for its support of the Armed Forces community.
The Government recently revalidated North Yorkshire Council’s Gold Award status under the Ministry of Defence (MoD) Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS).
The ERS Gold Award is the highest accolade available to organisations that demonstrate exceptional support for the Armed Forces community.
The award, given by Secretary of State for Defence, John Healey, is valid for five years and confirms that the council has not only maintained but strengthened its forces‑friendly policies, including flexible working for reservists and active engagement with defence networks and community initiatives.
North Yorkshire Council’s leader, Cllr Carl Les, who represents Catterick Village and Brompton on Swale, said that he was proud that the hard work of all those involved had been recognised once again.
He said: “North Yorkshire has a deep and enduring connection with the Armed Forces, so it is only right that we continue to demonstrate our unwavering support for serving personnel, veterans, and their families.
“Retaining and strengthening our Gold Award status reflects the significant work taking place across the organisation to ensure that members of our military community feel genuinely valued, respected, and supported.”
One of those to have benefited from the council’s support is business analyst, Lauren MacLintock, an Army reservist, serving as a Corporal in the Intelligence Corps.
She said: “I am really pleased that the Ministry of Defence has once again recognised the work North Yorkshire Council has done for employees such as myself.
“The council has been really understanding when it comes to my Armed Forces commitments; supporting my professional development, while also being incredibly encouraging and flexible when I needed them to be.
“Being a reservist while also working for the council has proven to be a highly complementary experience.
“The skills, discipline, and teamwork I have developed through my military service have translated well into my work within the council, and their support and understanding creates an environment where I can successfully balance both responsibilities.”
As part of achieving the accreditation the council also demonstrated how it was supporting local cadet units and cadet force adult volunteers.
Cllr Gareth Dadd and Cllr David Ireton each donated £1,000 from their locality budgets to support the Thirsk Army Cadets. The funding was used to buy a new laptop, printer, computer accessories and trophies to recognise the cadets’ recent achievements.
In addition, last year’s Armed Forces Day in Scarborough was organised by the council in conjunction with representatives from local Royal British Legion, veterans’ representatives, Heroes’ Welcome, Sea Cadets, Air Cadets, Army Cadets and Scarborough University Technical College Combined Cadet Force.
Cadets from Wensleydale also attended the Armed Forces Day for Children in June and the Festival of Remembrance where they acted as standard bearers.
North Yorkshire Council’s Armed Forces champion, Cllr Kevin Foster, who represents Hipswell and Colburn, said: “This award reflects the real commitment we have made to supporting our Armed Forces community – not just in words, but through practical action.
“As Armed Forces champion, I see firsthand the importance of helping service personnel, veterans and their families successfully transition into civilian life and into our communities.
“This recognition sits alongside our recently published guidance for those leaving the Armed Forces, which is designed to ensure people know what support is available to them across housing, employment and wellbeing.
“Gold status shows that North Yorkshire Council takes its responsibility seriously and is determined to be a place where our Armed Forces community is valued, supported, and treated with the respect it deserves.”
North Yorkshire Council first signed the Armed Forces Covenant, which seeks to prevent forces personnel and veterans from being disadvantaged when accessing public services, back in 2011. It reaffirmed its commitment in 2021 when it became law and again in 2023 following local government reorganisation.
There were 29,831 former members of the Armed Forces living in North Yorkshire, according to data from the 2021 Census.
Catterick Garrison is one of the largest military establishments in the UK, and has associated barracks at Dishforth, Ripon and Topcliffe. Other military sites in North Yorkshire also include the Army Foundation College at Harrogate, while the Royal Air Force has stations at Leeming, Fylingdales, Staxton Wold and Menwith Hill.
For more information on the council’s support for the Armed Forces visit https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/armed-forces-covenant.
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