City looks to go ‘extra mile’ for servicemen

Liberal Democrats on the council have tabled a motion to introduce a Sheffield Community Covenant which would ensure that services such as housing, education and social care are appropriate to support the needs of Armed Forces personnel.

The proposal will be put to the next full meeting of Sheffield Council, to take place on the afternoon of Wednesday next week.

Coun Clive Skelton, an ex-serviceman and member for Beauchief and Greenhill, said: “As a society we all owe our servicemen and women a great debt.

“They put their lives on the line to protect our freedom, both at home and abroad.

“The least they deserve is a fair deal from the authorities when it comes to local services. I know that local military representatives are in favour of a Community Covenant in Sheffield, therefore I hope all councillors will support the proposal.”

Coun Jack Clarkson, a Liberal Democrat councillor for Stocksbridge whose son has recently returned from a tour of duty in Afghanistan, said: “Ensuring that our troops get a fair deal when they return home is an issue that’s close to my heart.

“We need to ensure that servicemen and women don’t fall through net of local services because of their unique circumstances. Nobody is asking for special favours, we just need to ensure that there is a level playing field.”

The move comes after the Government said it was in favour of rebuilding the military covenant, the bond between the nation and the Armed Forces.

In December, Mr Cameron said: “Our service personnel make an extraordinary contribution to British life. So all of us – the Government, the private sector, and the voluntary organisations – need to go the extra mile for them.”