Serving members of the military have awarded Kent County Council (KCC) a gold standard for its commitment to ex-service personnel.

The Ministry of Defence Employers’ Recognition Gold Award has been revalidated, five years after it was first conferred on the authority.

Lt Col Nathan Horsmann, Commanding Officer of 3 Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment (PWRR) based in Canterbury, attended full council to hand the honour to Chairman Gary Cooke.

Cllr Cooke, a vocal supporter of the military, also chairs the Kent and Medway Civilian-Military Partnership Board.

A KCC statement said: “Revalidation is not a given but follows a rigorous process. Only 10 organisations in the southeast have received this award a second time. We are one of only a few county councils nationally.”

The MoD assesses the award on how the Armed Forces Covenant is embedded in the culture of an organisation, ensuring veterans and families live successful and fulfilled lives.

Canon Peter Bruinvels, KCC’s Covenant Lead and Civilian-Military Liaison Adviser, said: “It was a great honour for KCC to firstly have its Gold Award revalidated and more importantly to have it presented by Lt Col Nathan Horsmann, who expressed how appreciated it is that the Armed Forces Covenant is so important to KCC.

“All KCC members have demonstrated their strong support to the Armed Forces and their families based in Kent.

“KCC is also keen to employ both ex-service and reservists and has a highly supportive policy of recruiting ex-service personnel. I am very proud that KCC is a seen as military friendly employer of choice by the MoD.”