A letter to council leaders on support and delivery of Remembrance parades and services

Dear Leader,

We are writing to seek your continued support and assistance in ensuring that the nation faces as few obstacles as possible in the organisation and delivery of Remembrance parades and services.

In 2023 we mark the 60^th anniversary of the last serviceman to be demobilised from National Service, the 70^th anniversary of the cessation of hostilities in the Korean War, and 75 years since the voyage of the Empire Windrush which carried more than 100 serving and former Armed Forces personnel from the Caribbean to Britain. Services of Remembrance continue to resonate with the nation, allowing local communities up and down the country the chance to reflect on the service and sacrifice of the many men and women from their own villages, towns and cities who have served in HM Armed Forces, or who have supported or lost someone who has.

We know that local authorities take their responsibilities for organising Remembrance events and parades very seriously, and many have strong relationships with their local Royal British Legion (RBL) branches, and other Armed Forces charities. Thank you for this work.

Whilst we recognise that council budgets are facing pressures, these important civic occasions are a cost-effective way of bringing the whole community together in a collective moment of reflection, thanksgiving and togetherness; a view we have no doubt many of your local residents will share. Small gestures such as the waiving of fees for closing roads, providing street signage, and coordinating routes can make a real difference to whether these events can or cannot take place. We understand that this may mean a shift of resources in terms of how you have traditionally supported Remembrance services and parades, as well as a need for collaboration between councils in two-tier areas.

RBL branches and volunteers are proud to play an active part in Remembrance services and parades every year and are only too happy to support local authorities in their planning for such important community events. Unfortunately, the complexity of Health & Safety and Road Traffic legislation is challenging for volunteers to navigate given the scale of many Remembrance parade routes. Furthermore, RBL must focus its charitable funds on its vital welfare work, particularly as veterans face the new cost of living challenges.

As a result, whilst RBL branches can support councils in their planning of local Remembrance services and parade routes, they are regretfully unable to assume responsibility for the design or delivery of the latter, including the organisation of Temporary Traffic Management Orders (TTMOs), the contracting of traffic management services, or the provision of such services by volunteers.

However, RBL branches are very willing to assist in local Remembrance parades and services in other ways, for instance through the provision of Standard Bearers or the identification of local veterans.

Remembrance is for all members of our communities, and we encourage people from across the nation to observe and participate in Remembrance in respectful and inclusive ways that are meaningful for them. We sincerely hope that your council will continue to work with RBL branches and other armed forces organisations to enable the local community to remember its fallen, and look forward to the continued observance of this time-honoured tradition. For more information about Remembrance, please see the RBL’s website. If you would like to discuss any issues arising from this, your local RBL branch will be happy to help; or to reach either of us please contact ian.leete@local.gov.uk or bholborn@britishlegion.org.uk.

Yours sincerely,

Councillor Shaun Davies Chair, Local Government Association Leader, Telford & Wrekin Council

Charles Byrne Director General The Royal British Legion 199 Borough High Street London SE1 1AA

Cllr Keith Stevens Chair, National Association of Local Councils