Armed Forces Day In Sandwell: Lovely Photos, Warm Words — Now Where’s The Follow Up?

 

Armed Forces Day In Sandwell: Lovely Photos, Warm Words — Now Where’s The Follow Up?

There has been plenty of chat in Sandwell over the weekend about Armed Forces Day.

Lots of photos. Lots of councillors pictured. Lots of comments. Lots of “proud to attend”, “honoured to support”, “we remember”, “we value”, “we stand with” and all the usual polished phrases that get trotted out when there is a flag, a camera and a convenient opportunity to look statesmanlike for Facebook.

And to be clear — Armed Forces Day matters.

It is right that serving personnel, vterans, reservists, cadets, families and the wider armed forces community are recognised. It is right that people turn up. It is right that Sandwell marks the day properly.

But now comes the important bit.

The follow up.

Because support for the armed forces community cannot just be a weekend photo opportunity with a brass band and a buffet of buzzwords.

It cannot be a councillor selfie in the sunshine, followed by silence until the next civic event rolls around.

It cannot be haphazard meetings, mealy-mouthed statements, and management-speak so thick you need a bayonet to cut through it.

Sandwell Council has an Armed Forces Covenant. This is not new. It was adopted years ago. It is supposed to mean something. It is supposed to ensure that members of the armed forces community are not disadvantaged when accessing services, and that special consideration is given where appropriate, especially for the injured and bereaved.

Fine words.

But Sandwell has never been short of fine words. We have had pledges, charters, visions, strategies, boards, frameworks, roadmaps, action plans and enough “partnership working” to sink a small frigate.

The question is simple:

What has actually been done?

Not what was said.

Not what was posed for.

Not what was placed on a webpage and left to gather digital dust.

What has been delivered?

Sandwell’s own Armed Forces Covenant talks about a Partnership Board, chaired by the Mayor, meeting every three months. It talks about an action plan. It talks about making sure the aims of the Covenant are being followed.

So where are the minutes?

Where are the agendas?

Where are the action logs?

Where are the reports?

Where are the outcomes?

Where are the Key Performance Indicators?

Where is the evidence that this is more than a civic badge pinned to the Council’s lapel once a year?

Because if meetings have been held, the public should be able to see what was discussed, who attended, what decisions were made, what actions were agreed, and what actually changed as a result.

If the meetings have not been held, then the Council needs to say so.

If the action plan exists, publish it.

If it does not exist, explain why.

If there are KPIs, show them.

If there are no KPIs, then how exactly is anyone measuring effectiveness?

“Engagement” is not a result.

“Raising awareness” is not a result.

“Continuing to work with partners” is not a result.

“Valuing our veterans” is not a measurable outcome unless it is backed by housing support, employment pathways, welfare advice, health referrals, school support, proper signposting and real casework that makes a difference to real people.

In March 2026, Sandwell Council passed a motion called “Going for Gold: Sandwell’s Commitment to the Armed Forces Community.”

That motion called for Sandwell to work towards Gold Award status under the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme. It called for employment policies to be reviewed. It referred to guaranteed interviews for suitably qualified veterans. It mentioned support for reservists, military spouses and partners. It called for a clear Armed Forces Employment and Engagement Strategy. It called for a dedicated Armed Forces Covenant Partnership Officer. It also called for an update report to Cabinet and Full Council within six months, and for scrutiny oversight.

Good.

Now deliver it.

No waffle. No fog machine. No twelve-page report written in officer-speak that says everything and nothing at the same time.

Sandwell’s new controlling Reform group now has a chance to show whether this was just another Council chamber speech, or whether they are serious about follow-through.

Many councillors have been happy to be pictured this weekend. Many have made public comments about Armed Forces Day. Good. Now back it up.

Ask the questions.

Demand the papers.

Publish the evidence.

Scrutinise the Covenant.

Find out what has been done since adoption.

Find out whether the Partnership Board has met every three months as stated.

Find out who attended.

Find out what decisions were made.

Find out what actions were completed.

Find out what outcomes were achieved.

Find out whether veterans and armed forces families in Sandwell actually know what support is available.

Find out whether frontline housing, welfare, education, employment and customer service staff understand the Covenant.

Find out how many people have been helped.

Find out how many were missed.

Find out what failed.

Find out what needs fixing.

And most importantly, make it public.

Because the armed forces community does not need empty civic theatre. It needs proper support, proper access, proper recognition and proper accountability.

A parade is welcome.

A ceremony is welcome.

Respect is welcome.

But respect does not end when the flags are packed away.

If Sandwell Council, senior officers, elected councillors and the controlling Reform group mean what they said this weekend, then the next step is obvious.

Bring forward the full Armed Forces Covenant review.

Publish the Partnership Board records.

Publish the action plan.

Publish the KPIs.

Publish the progress report.

Name the responsible councillor.

Name the responsible officer.

Set out the Gold Award roadmap.

And let scrutiny do its job.

Because warm words are easy.

Photos are easy.

Turning up for Armed Forces Day is easy.

The harder bit is making sure veterans, serving personnel, reservists, cadets, families, widows, widowers and those injured through service are not left fighting through council bureaucracy when the cameras have gone home.

That is where the real commitment is tested.

And Sandwell now needs to prove it.

Not next year.

Not at the next photo call.

Now.

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