Members of the council's Cabinet last night (Wednesday) agreed plans to provide additional support to Ministry of Defence personnel who are normally resident in Wolverhampton but are required to live outside England due to their military postings.
Under the extended scheme, eligible personnel will be entitled to the same council tax reductions as those stationed within Great Britain, including a job related discount and exemption from the council tax premium for properties in Wolverhampton that remain unoccupied or unfurnished.
Councillor Louise Miles, Cabinet Member for Resources, said: "As a council, we have long been committed to helping residents facing financial hardship, and this move will address an inequality in the current legislation that affects Armed Forces personnel stationed abroad – ensuring that those who serve our country are supported when they need us the most.
"It also aligns with the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant, of which we are a signatory, ensuring that military personnel, whether they are veterans or currently serving, are not disadvantaged compared to their civilian counterparts."
Councillor Craig Collingswood, Mayor of Wolverhampton and Chair of the Armed Forces Covenant Partnership Board, added: "By supporting our Armed Forces community in every way we can, we are not only honouring their service, we are ensuring that our heroes have the dignity, security and support they deserve in the very country they fought to protect.”
As lead for the Armed Forces Covenant Partnership Board for the city, the council co-ordinates support for the Armed Forces community across Wolverhampton.
The council welcomes veterans and the wider Armed Forces community into the organisation and offers a range of supportive policies such as guaranteed interview schemes for veterans applying for job vacancies and an allowance of up to 24 days’ paid leave for reservists and adult cadet force volunteers. For details of current employment opportunities, please visit WMJobs.
Meanwhile, Armed Forces veterans in Wolverhampton can enjoy free bus travel and discounted rail travel. Travel for West Midlands is running an incentive scheme in collaboration with local bus operators enabling unlimited free travel on all buses, all day, in the Network West Midlands area for up to 6 months. To find out more, please email wolves.afd@wolverhampton.gov.uk.
A Veterans Railcard is also available, offering discounts on rail travel in England, Wales, and Scotland. For further information please visit Veterans Railcard.
For more information about the Armed Forces Covenant, and the help and support that is available to members of the Armed Forces community in Wolverhampton, please visit Wolverhampton Armed Forces.
