“This Council notes with concern the recent announcement by the UK Government to reduce the Army Cadet Force training budget by 50%. This Council believes that these cuts are short-sighted and jeopardise the future of an organisation that has provided young people with an introduction to military discipline, leadership, and opportunities for personal development for nearly 170 years. The Army Cadet Force (ACF) plays a vital role in inspiring the next generation of Armed Forces personnel, offering a unique pathway for young people to explore careers in the military. This is especially critical at a time when the UK Armed Forces are facing a significant recruitment crisis. This Council further believes that the ACF is not only a recruitment pipeline but also an organisation that fosters discipline, resilience, and teamwork in young people, contributing positively to their communities and society at large.
This Council resolves to:
1.
Instruct the Chief Executive to write to the Secretary of State for
Defence and the Prime Minister to express our deep concerns about
the impact of these budget cuts on the Army Cadet Force and the
future of the Armed Forces.
2.
Urge the UK Government to reverse these budget reductions
immediately to safeguard the future of the ACF and its essential
contribution to national defence and youth development.
3.
Call on local Members of Parliament across Shropshire to advocate
in Westminster for the protection of ACF funding.
4. Explore local support measures to mitigate the immediate impact of these cuts on cadet units in our area, where possible.”
The Motion will be seconded by Councillor Kim Tonks.
Minutes:
“This Council notes with concern the recent announcement by the UK Government to reduce the Army Cadet Force training budget by 50%. This Council believes that these cuts are short-sighted and jeopardise the future of an organisation that has provided young people with an introduction to military discipline, leadership, and opportunities for personal development for nearly 170 years. The Army Cadet Force (ACF) plays a vital role in inspiring the next generation of Armed Forces personnel, offering a unique pathway for young people to explore careers in the military. This is especially critical at a time when the UK Armed Forces are facing a significant recruitment crisis. This Council further believes that the ACF is not only a recruitment pipeline but also an organisation that fosters discipline, resilience, and teamwork in young people, contributing positively to their communities and society at large.
This Council resolves to:
1. Instruct the Chief Executive to write to the Secretary of State for Defence and the Prime Minister to express our deep concerns about the impact of these budget cuts on the Army Cadet Force and the future of the Armed Forces.
2. Urge the UK Government to reverse these budget reductions immediately to safeguard the future of the ACF and its essential contribution to national defence and youth development.
3. Call on local Members of Parliament across Shropshire to advocate in Westminster for the protection of ACF funding.
4. Explore local support measures to mitigate the immediate impact of these cuts on cadet units in our area, where possible.”
The Motion was seconded by Councillor K Tonks.
Councillor R Mehta then moved an amendment, with additional words shown in bold and underlined and removed words shown with a strikethrough.
This Council notes with
concern the recent announcement by the UK Government to
reduce the Army Cadet Force training budget by 50% honour
the previous Government’s commitment, in light of the
inherited economic crisis, to end the £1.1m DFE grant to
Cadets. The Council also notes the Government’s ongoing
commitment to providing £3.6 million in funding for the Cadet
Expansion programme and their commitment to review the Army Cadet
and Reserve Force and commitment to the Cadet Expansion Programme
until 2033.
This Council believes that
these cuts are short-sighted and jeopardise the future
ofThis Council believes that the
Government should do all it can to support an organisation that
has provided young people with an introduction to military
discipline, leadership, and opportunities for personal development
for nearly 170 years. The Army Cadet Force (ACF) plays a vital role
in inspiring the next generation of Armed Forces personnel,
offering a unique pathway for young people to explore careers in
the military. This is especially critical at a time when the UK
Armed Forces are facing a significant recruitment crisis. This
Council further believes that the ACF is not only a recruitment
pipeline but also an organisation that fosters discipline,
resilience, and teamwork in young people, contributing positively
to their communities and society at large.
This Council resolves to:
1. Instruct the Chief
Executive Leader to write to the Secretary of State for
Defence and the Prime Minister to express our deep concerns about
the impact of these budget cuts on the Army Cadet Force and the
future of the Armed Forces and seek reassurances on the
Government’s commitment to the ACF.
2. Urge the UK Government to
reverse these budget reductions immediately as soon as is
practicably possible, to safeguard the future of the ACF and
its essential contribution to national defence and youth
development.
3. Call on local Members of
Parliament across Shropshire Telford & Wrekin to
advocate in Westminster for the protection of ACF
funding.
4. Explore local support measures to mitigate the immediate impact of these cuts on cadet units in our area, where possible.
5. Continue with it’s work to support local Armed Services and Veterans which is widely recognised as amongst the best in the Country.”
The amendment was seconded by Councillor L D Carter.
At the end of the debate regarding the amendment, a vote was taken and it was:
RESOLVED – that the amendment be carried and become the substantive motion.
Following a robust debate, the amended motion was put to the vote and it was:-
RESOLVED - that the amended Motion be approved.