Ministry of Defence employer award for Moray Council
Moray Council has been presented with a bronze award in the Ministry of Defence’s defence employer recognition scheme.
The award acknowledges the council’s positive stance towards employees who are members of the armed forces community and reinforces its commitment to supporting military personnel and their families following the signing of the armed forces community covenant.
The council has a record of backing the armed forces, having been registered as a supportive employer in relation to reservists carrying out duties with the Army Reserve – formerly known as the Territorial Army - since 2003.
Organisations achieving the bronze award seek to promote an armed forced-friendly environment and are open to employing reservists, veterans, cadet instructors and military spouses and partners.
The council already employs a sizeable contingent of people with a military connection and also has its own armed forces champion, ex-RAF serviceman Councillor Chris Tuke, who has been instrumental in supporting the application for the award.
Councillor Tuke was presented with the award by Lt Col Tom Marsden, the commanding officer of 39 Engineer Regiment based at Kinloss Barracks.
Also attending the ceremony were Katie Burton, an engineer with the council’s consultancy section whose husband is a Typhoon pilot based at RAF Lossiemouth, and council research and information officer Carl Bennett who served in the RAF for 23 years.
“I am delighted that we have achieved this recognition,” said Councillor Tuke. “There are numerous staff employed by Moray Council from the local military community - past and present - and they bring a high level of expertise, commitment and dedication with them.
“By achieving this award, Moray Council becomes one of only 19 local authorities in the UK to sign up to this scheme and one of only two in Scotland.”
Councillor Tuke added: “I would also like to encourage other local employers of all sizes to consider applying for this scheme. The bronze level award if self-certifying, online and there is no cost.”
The scheme is open to all UK employers and features bronze, silver and gold awards – each demonstrating an increasing level of support for armed forces employees. The council is currently working towards the silver award.
Moray Council area stretches from Tomintoul in the south to the shores of the Moray Firth, from Keith in the east to Forres in the west. The council and its 4,500 employees respond to the needs of 92,500 residents in this beautiful part of Scotland, which nestles between Aberdeenshire and the Highlands.
Famous for its colony of dolphins, fabulous beaches and more malt whisky distilleries than any where else in Scotland, Moray is a thriving area and a great place to live.
Headquartered in Elgin, the administrative capital of Moray.