AFF Northern Ireland - Latest News
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07 Oct - Disbandment of 19 Lt Bde
15 Sep - Negative Impact of Northern Ireland Removals Contract
Disbandment of 19 Lt Bde
Families in NI are experiencing some uncertainty regarding where they will be in the near future, following the announcements of 19 Lt Bde being disbanded, which includes 19 CSS, 40 Regt RA and 38 Engr Regt. Those families that have been given new assignment orders are experiencing difficulties in SFA allocation in certain areas. This is meaning families are remaining in NI while the soldiers commences their new job on the mainland or Germany. This is not an ideal situation for any family to put up with, especially as it is unlikely that the family will retain NIRS or their warrants without special circumstances being sought from the chain of command and a case being put to 38 (I) Bde. The policy below should help families with this issue.
JSP 464 – Part 1 – Section IV – Chapter 5 states:
PROCEDURES FOR THE ALLOCATION OF SFA
0507. Administration of the SFA Application Form. HICs have a mandatory period of 15 working days to administer SFA Application Forms; meaning the time between receipt of the fully completed Form and making the offer of an address (the day the offer letter goes in the post or is faxed to the applicant). This period enables HICs to identify the most suitable SFA to meet the applicant’s preferences and required date, and if necessary, for dialogue to take place with the applicant.
0508. Making the offer. HICs are to make one offer in writing to the applicant’s entitlement (or above entitlement), taking into account the required date, the preferences expressed on the Application Form, and the outcome of any subsequent dialogue with the applicant. The offer may be based on the pre-allocation of SFA22. SFA occupied by irregular occupants or dischargees should not be pre-allocated. If appropriate SFA is not available, the HIC is to give the applicant 2 choices:
a. To request allocation of SSFA. If the applicant requests SSFA, the HIC will issue a Non Availability Certificate (NAC) so that commercially rented accommodation may be provided by the MOD Contractor (See Chapter 6). Where precedent suggests that SFA would normally become available, the HIC may, with the approval of the applicant, issue a holding reply rather than an NAC. In the event that an NAC became necessary it should be issued no later than 51 days (for moves in UK) and 65 calendar days (for moves into UK from overseas) before the required date to ensure that there was sufficient time for the SSFA process to be administered.
b. To decline SSFA. If the applicant declines SSFA, they will remain on the Waiting List (see para 0513c) and be offered an appropriate SFA when one becomes available.
22 Taken to mean the pre-allocation of currently occupied SFA, which subject to unforeseen changes in the intentions of the existing occupants, will become available for occupation by the in coming family in accordance with their required date.
AFF advises families that if they are left waiting for an SFA as they are told there are none available they need to get a Non Availability Certificate from the HIC so that an SSFA can be sought.
Should families require further information on this, please contact Claire Braddock, AFF NI Director on 028 9226 6875.
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Negative Impact of Northern Ireland Removals Contract
Removals to and from NI are now taking up to ten days. Payment for accommodation and food for moving is paid for four nights within the UK. This, however, leaves families for six nights without their furniture.
AFF NI needs evidence from families who are moving and experience difficulties due to the length of time their removals take between NI and the mainland and vice versa.
If you are experiencing problems with the new removals contract and find yourselves having to stay extra nights in hotels, rely on the kindness of friends and family or actually have nowhere to go, please contact AFF NI Branch Office on 028 9226 6875 or email director@affni.org.uk
Or contact your local co-ordinator:
Position vacant: Ballykinlar / Lisburn – 07729 159013
ballykinlar@affni.org.uk / lisburn@affni.org.uk
Erin Wight: Aldergrove/Holywood – 07729 159011
aldergrove@affni.org.uk / holywood@affni.org.uk
AFF NI is highlighting the negative impact of this policy and is lobbying for change.
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