Agenda item

Armed Forces Community and the National Census

20.1

It was formally moved by Councillor John Booker, and formally seconded by Councillor Jack Clarkson, that this Council:-

(a)      believes we all owe a debt to those who serve, or have served, and their families, as recognised by the Armed Forces Covenant and our own local Community Covenant;

(b)      is concerned that local authorities, national government, charities and other service providers are not yet fully able to meet the needs of our Armed Forces community, as accurate information about this group just isn't available;

(c)      regrets that we don't actually know exactly how many veterans, reservists and dependants there are in the UK - let alone our local community - or what their needs might be;

(d)      notes that the only way that comprehensive information of this kind could be achieved would be through the inclusion of questions about the Armed Forces community in the next national census, and supports The Royal British Legion’s call for the UK, Scottish and Northern Ireland governments to commit to this modest addition to the census;

(e)      further notes that the census is not due until 2021, but understands that the Office for National Statistics, National Records Scotland and the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency have already begun consulting on its content; and

(f)       recognises that it will ultimately be for national politicians to decide the content of the next census, but believes that, by this Council committing to supporting the inclusion of the question on the Armed Forces community as the next census is trialled and developed, this stance would be invaluable in the coming months and years.

20.2

Whereupon, it was formally moved by Councillor Tony Damms, and formally seconded by Councillor Jackie Drayton, as an amendment, that the Motion now submitted be amended by the addition of a paragraph (g) as follows:-

(g)       notes the Administration’s commitment, through the highly regarded Sheffield Community Covenant, to ensure that services recognise the contribution made by the armed forces community and remembers the sacrifices made by members of the armed forces community.

20.3

On being put to the vote, the amendment was carried.

20.4

The original Motion, as amended, was then put as a Substantive Motion in the following form and carried:-

RESOLVED: That this Council:-

(a)      believes we all owe a debt to those who serve, or have served, and their families, as recognised by the Armed Forces Covenant and our own local Community Covenant;

(b)      is concerned that local authorities, national government, charities and other service providers are not yet fully able to meet the needs of our Armed Forces community, as accurate information about this group just isn't available;

(c)      regrets that we don't actually know exactly how many veterans, reservists and dependants there are in the UK - let alone our local community - or what their needs might be;

(d)      notes that the only way that comprehensive information of this kind could be achieved would be through the inclusion of questions about the Armed Forces community in the next national census, and supports The Royal British Legion’s call for the UK, Scottish and Northern Ireland governments to commit to this modest addition to the census;

(e)      further notes that the census is not due until 2021, but understands that the Office for National Statistics, National Records Scotland and the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency have already begun consulting on its content;

(f)      recognises that it will ultimately be for national politicians to decide the content of the next census, but believes that, by this Council committing to supporting the inclusion of the question on the Armed Forces community as the next census is trialled and developed, this stance would be invaluable in the coming months and years; and

(g)      notes the Administration’s commitment, through the highly regarded Sheffield Community Covenant, to ensure that services recognise the contribution made by the armed forces community and remembers the sacrifices made by members of the armed forces community.