Councillor Paul Arnott, EDDC's Leader, and Major Mark Latham RM sign the Armed Forces Covenant
Left to right: Councillor Vicky Johns, EDDC's Armed Forces Champion, Councillor Paul Arnott, EDDC's Leader, and Major Mark Latham RM

The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise to ensure that those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, are treated fairly.

The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise to ensure that those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, are treated fairly. The Covenant was signed at an event on Tuesday 10 September 2024 to mark the council's 50th anniversary by Councillor Paul Arnott, EDDC's Leader, and Major Mark Latham RM.

During a speech at the event, Councillor Vicky Johns, EDDC's Armed Forces Champion, said:

"I feel as a nation, our serving personnel have been overlooked for far too long and the signing of this Armed Forces Covenant goes a small way to ensure they are no longer overlooked."

EDDC officers, current and former councillors, and members of the armed forces outside Blackdown House

East Devon is home to the Royal Marines Commando Training Centre in Lympstone and a large proportion of residents either serve as personnel, are veterans, or are part of a military family. The occasion, highlighting the value that the council places on their contribution to our local community and country, was attended by EDDC officers, current and former councillors, and members of the armed forces.

East Devon District Council's Chair planting a tree

To mark 50 years since EDDC was established, a plaque was unveiled on the side of the Blackdown House council headquarters in Honiton, and a tree was planted in the grounds of the nearby Business Centre, by Councillor Eleanor Rylance, Chair of the Council, and Chris Snow CBE (Deputy Lord Lieutenant, Vice Lord Lieutenant, Rear Admiral).