Purpose

The Council is currently a Silver Award holder under the
Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) and is
actively seeking to progress to Gold status. In order to
comply with Gold status criterion a material change to the
Leave of Absence Policy is required, increasing additional
paid time for reservist duties from nine to ten days

Decision

Approve a material change to the Leave of Absence
Policy increasing additional paid time for extraneous
public duties (including reservist duties) from nine to
ten days.
Authorise the Solicitor to the Council and Monitoring
Officer to negotiate, finalise and complete all
necessary legal agreements and other documents to
give effect to the above.

Alternative options considered

Ashford Borough Council is currently a Silver Award holder under the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) and could therefore opt to maintain this level rather than progress. However, this would not best reflect our long-term commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant and the Armed Forces community locally and regionally.