East Hampshire District Council has launched the Armed Forces Stakeholder Group, bringing together the support available in the district for members of the armed forces, veterans and their families.

Membership of the group will enable organisations and community groups to work together more closely to share the best practice and information.

The inaugural meeting was held at the Forest Community Centre in Whitehill & Bordon during May and future meetings will be held in rotation around the district.

Cllr Ben Bentley, East Hampshire District Council’s armed forces champion, said: “I am delighted we have got the Armed Forces Stakeholder Group up and running and it can now get on with the business of looking after the interests of armed forces personnel past and present.”

In April, East Hampshire District Council re-signed an Armed Forces Covenant pledging to treat servicemen and veterans fairly and has received a bronze award from the Ministry of Defence as part of its Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.

In honour of Armed Forces Day on June 25, the Armed Forces Day flag flew over the council offices in Petersfield throughout the previous week.

For more information on the Armed Forces Stakeholder Group, email [email protected]