A consensus was reached last night across the political divide on Bradford Council as all parties backed a move to introduce a community covenant to help support members of the armed services and their families.

It was agreed at a meeting of the Council last night that this would go some way to help make it easier for service personnel, veterans and their families to access any support available.

Councillor John Ruding (Lab, Tong), a former member of the armed services, told the council chamber: “It’s important to know that if you are injured you are properly cared for and sadly, if you were to die, your name will be honoured and your family supported.”

Councillor Glen Miller (Con, Worth Valley), an ex-serviceman himself, said there were three main issues that affected those leaving the armed forces – mental health issues, alcoholism and housing issues. “I don’t want this covenant to become just a piece of paper – it does need to be meaningful,” he said.

Councillor Howard Middleton (Lib Dem, Bolton and Undercliffe) said measures in the covenant could help returning servicemen and women gain access to social housing and the NHS, which had not always been very good in dealing with them.

The original motion came from Labour councillors, but the Liberal Democrats suggested that partner organisations are encouraged to help deliver the aims of the covenant – and this was agreed. Officers will now be tasked with drawing up proposals for establishing the covenant.

Also, the Conservatives lost out in a motion designed to stop the taxpayer subsidy of full time trade union officials at the authority which currently runs to £438,000.

They argued that the amount which provides for time off with pay for 15 full time equivalent convenors is now unjustifiable in the face of massive budget cuts at the Council and threats to staff through redundancy.

It was a Labour amendment to the motion which was successful after Council and Labour group leader Ian Greenwood argued that employees had a right to representation from their unions and that the Council did not provide funds to the unions, only facilitated the time off.

Other decisions made by full council included: lBacking national measures to ban insurance companies selling customers’ details on to claims management companies, which could help bring down spiralling motor insurance quotes in the district – a Labour amendment to a Conservative motion.

lSupport for individual voter registration rather than household but an acceptance that a requirement to register must remain – a Liberal Democrat amendment to a Conservative motion.

lMeasures to ensure that the Council has control over the type of business it rents retail and commercial property to – a Labour motion.