H o u s i n g
strategy for continuing this investment is in these areas: • A programme of building new
accommodation blocks to full scale modern standard, typically for trained personnel in single rooms with en-suite facilities.
• Major refurbishment of some existing blocks. Sometimes this will be to full standard, but in some cases it may be appropriate to have a mix of refurbished accommodation, for example with some single rooms having to share toilets and showers.
• A programme of minor improvements to older blocks that are not due for replacement or refurbishment within the next 5 years. This will focus on facilities most needed by the occupants such as new furniture, modernised showers and toilets, improved storage space, improved heating systems and better Internet access.
The RAF Families
Federation’s Response “Although the focus of our response is SFA, the RAF Families Federation maintains a keen interest in the quality and availability of SLA since many serving family members are opting to live in SLA and commute to private homes rather than take up SFA. A further minority opts to retain SFA at a previous unit, perhaps for educational stability reasons, and these personnel experience both SFA and SLA provision. SFA and SLA therefore have a direct impact on the quality of life of many family members.
“The contract with Annington Homes Ltd is mentioned in passing and the fact that the current rental MoD pays for these leased- back properties is based on 42% of Open Market Rent. This discounted rental is due to be reviewed in 2021 and we would simply urge the MoD to continue to press for discounted rentals so that monies saved can be reinvested in maintaining and enhancing those properties still required by the military for 2021 and beyond.
“The use of substitute accommodation is presented as a ‘last resort’ and to meet a ‘temporary requirement’. However, we are aware of prolonged use of substitute accommodation over a number of tours, albeit by different families, suggesting an urgent requirement for new-build or bulk leasing arrangements in certain parts of the country. Whilst we recognise the efforts being
www.raf-ff.org.uk
made by DE to regularise the occupation of SFA by those truly entitled to occupy, there remains an acute shortage of SFA in some locations and, from our perspective, any funds spent on substitute accommodation represent funds that could otherwise have been invested in the core SFA stock.
“The Strategy states that the introduction of Help Desks has been ‘generally well received’. Perhaps so from the perspective of those seeking economies of cost and centralisation of services but, from a family perspective, the move to centralised Help Desks has been unpopular and we receive many requests for a return to the days when local staffs were available to provide a more personal interface with occupants. MHS’s introduction of Liaison Officers and DE’s recent introduction of Technical Officers will hopefully bridge that gap.
“The differentiation in allocation policies between commissioned and non- commissioned families is an area we believe is overdue review. From our workshops to date, an overwhelming majority of our audiences would like to see the size of family given far more priority in the allocation of housing. Whilst we recognise that rank and length of service also have their part to play, a debate regarding allocation policies to better reflect the needs of the modern military family would, we believe, be a good investment of staff effort.
“The acknowledgement of the true condition of SFA is welcomed but the Strategy fails to acknowledge that this reassessment of the
estate’s condition will have had an impact on previous upgrade and improvement plans since there is now a far higher % of Grade 2 properties than previously thought. This will impact on DE’s ability to achieve its target of all SFA at Condition 1 by 2020, as acknowledged by CE DE during our recent meeting with him and his team. Nevertheless, we welcome the commitment to continue a phased programme of enhancements to SFA and can only hope that this funding will be protected during any Defence Review!
“We would suggest that the issue of communication with SFA occupants is not limited to ‘programmes of work’ or ‘programme changes’ but is more about the low-level, routine activity undertaken by MHS and DE operatives and which requires regular and timely communication with the occupants. Out-going calls to let occupants know that staff are running late, appointments need to be rescheduled or that there are problems with spares, can make the world of difference and would reduce the number of complaints we receive from RAF occupants stating that they have had to hasten DE/MHS many times to find out what is happening with their property. Proactive communications at a low-level are strongly encouraged”.
Readers wishing to read the entire Strategy can access it via our website.
Anyone with any feedback on the Defence Accommodation Management Strategy is welcome to forward their views to the RAF Families Federation.
Winter 2009 21
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56