From June 2021 I engaged with the Shadow Minister and Shadow
Secretary for Defence along with a large number of other councillors
across the country. Most people are aware of the Armed Forces
Covenant which in its basic sense asks that members and former
members of the armed forces and their families are not penalised for
their years of service.
As Armed Forces Champion (I served in the infantry in Australia), at
the end of November I introduced what we called ‘The Veterans
Motion’ to City Council. The motion calls upon Council to strengthen its
commitment and also to lobby government ministers concerning the
Covenant. I also included a component directed at Commonwealth
citizens and their families who served in the British Armed Forces as
they face hefty financial penalties of thousands at the end of their
service in order to settle in Britain where they have made their homes.
The Armed Forces Bill, which will soon return to the Commons from
the Lords, provides an important opportunity to tangibly improve the
lives of our service personnel, veterans, and their families. The current
Armed Forces Covenant is not currently enshrined in law allowing for
wide variations in its interpretation at local level
In November I also engaged in meeting with Highways Officers
concerning a number of changes to roads and highways. Amongst the
proposals was yet another bus lane along Dereham road in which the
bus lane crosses road traffic at one point and then across Dereham
Road into Costessey. This necessitates the closing of the Dereham
Road underpass between Bowthorpe and Costessey. I remain
unconvinced that these, along with the proposed transport hub on the
Costessey side, represent improvements, but we did discuss road
improvements within Bowthorpe proper.
I wish everyone the best for this year under our continued difficult circumstances
and remind people that as Councillors we are here to
represent and help wherever we can
Cllr Mike Sands
m.sands@cllr.norwich.gov.uk; mike.sands@norfolk.gov.uk
