A motion by Bradford Council leader Ian Greenwood to set up a community covenant for members of the armed forces is something that few people would disagree with.

The question is, though, what it will actually mean in practice for the current and former military personnel and their families.

The idea of making it easier for current personnel and veterans and their families to access help and support in areas like health and housing is certainly a good one.

There is little doubt that those who have served their country sometimes feel undervalued when they return home, and anything that helps redress that is a step forward.

So it is important that something real and tangible now comes out of this proposal.

Presuming the motion is successful, and it is almost impossible to imagine it will not be, discussions will begin with military representatives to look at how exactly the covenant will work in practice.

It is vital that veterans like Carl Clowes, who lost a leg after being wounded in service in Afghanistan, and bereaved relatives like Wendy Rayner, whose husband Peter was killed on duty in Afghanistan, are among those who have their say.

They know the real difficulties faced by veterans and the families of veterans once they have given their service to the country.

It would also be nice to see private businesses also get involved and offer discounts or special services to veterans and their families as part of the covenant agreement.

Coun Greenwood is to be praised for taking a step in the right direction with this.

It is vitally important that this first step is now followed through with real and significant measures that will provide practical help for armed service personnel and their families when they are most in need of it.