The Participating Nations Policy Cell
The Participating Nations ( PN ) Policy Cell provides advice , administrative services and documentation to PN Service Personnel on a wide range of subjects . For the most part , these are related to : housing allocations and regulations ; vehicle registration , import and export ; tax entitlements , education , banking and healthcare . Our aim is to provide support and assistance to make things as easy as possible for PN Service Personnel during their posting here in the UK .
We are a team of four and our offices are located in HQ ARRC ( G1 ), with the Housing Officer working from the Welfare Office . Our contact details are given below so please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or enquiries . We hope the following Quarterly Updates are of interest but please do get in touch with us with any queries and we will do what we can to assist .
PN Policy Cell contacts
Staffs working from home and / or in office , please contact by email initially . PN Policy Officer ( PNPO )
PN Policy Support Officer ( PNPSO )
Housing Officer ( HO ) PN Policy Clerk ( PNPClk )
SERVICE FAMILY ACCOMMODATION
Housing Service Personnel ( SP ) in an area of their choice on arriving at Imjin Barracks is difficult at any time of the year . It is particularly challenging during the so-called ‘ Summer churn ’ - the period when the highest turnover of house moves takes place to coincide with the school holidays .
Limitations on where certain SP can be housed reduces the number of available SFA to SP wishing to live in the more popular areas of the Innsworth housing estate . More often than not a SP assigned to this unit will have a specific location in mind in which they wish to be housed . Although every effort will always be made to achieve a SP ’ s aspiration , in truth , it is not always possible . On occasion there is simply not sufficient housing stock available in the desired location .
Beverley Simon beverley . simon101 @ mod . gov . uk Sue Miles susan . miles893 @ mod . gov . uk
Paul Wheable paul . wheable100 @ mod . gov . uk Richard Moore richard . moore114 @ mod . gov . uk
It is important to note that a SFA cannot be reallocated until an occupying resident has booked a move out . A delay in booking a move out can have significant knock-on effects . Not only does it hamper the Housing Officer ’ s ability to identify vacant properties to ensure a timely and efficient move in plan , it can :
• Prevent a SP being allocated a property in the location of their choice .
• Condense the time needed for an individual from both the UK and overseas to organise all his / her travel and house moving arrangements
• Create the potential for children of school age to miss the start of the new academic year .
• Disrupt induction training into HQ ARRC .
Outgoing residents should also be aware that on departure of a SFA , Amey contractually have 15 working days to make ready a property for the next resident , adding a further delay to the move in process .
Residents of SFA are therefore asked that on receiving a posting notice they book a move out with Amey as soon as they can . A delay in identifying properties for allocation can have a significant impact on those waiting to be housed .
If you have any queries about the application process , booking move-outs , other housing issues , please do contact Paul Wheable – Housing Officer , at paul . wheable100 @ mod . gov . uk
Registering with a Doctors ’ Surgery
When you move into the area , your spouse and family members must register with a Doctors ’ Surgery . A list of Surgeries nearest to the SFA area where you live , is noted in SFA Area Information Booklet in the Welcome Pack .
To register with a Surgery , you should telephone the Surgery , and the Reception staff will explain and assist with the registering process . Do check the Surgery ’ s website for further information .
If your spouse and family have a UK medical card , do take it to the Surgery when registering , and
if registering a child / children , take their history of immunisations .
Your spouse & family will need to provide 2 forms of evidence to confirm their identities and address , these can be – passport , driving licence , National Insurance card , NHS card , recent bank statement , utility invoice , correspondence from a Government dept .
If you are having problems with registering with a Surgery , do contact Sue Miles – PNPSO , for assistance , at susan . miles893 @ mod . gov . uk
Vehicles
Registering & Recording of PNs ’ Vehicles
PNs must notify PNPSO when they import a vehicle into the UK and when they buy a UK vehicle , both used & new vehicles . This is to ensure that vehicles are registered / recorded and to confirm entitlement to Visiting Forces Relief , entitlement to hold vehicles and to claim duty free fuel .
Imported Vehicles
PNPSO assists PNs to register an imported vehicle to HM Customs and to DVLA . The process may take up to 6 weeks to be completed . For full details of the registration process , a PN must contact PNPSO within 2 weeks of importing the vehicle into the UK .
Vehicle Purchased in the UK
PNs must notify PNPSO when they purchase a vehicle in the UK , within 2 weeks of the purchase , for the vehicle to be recorded . A PN must contact PNPSO for details of the process .
If you have any queries about the vehicle processes , or require further information , please do contact Sue Miles - PNPSO , at susan . miles893 @ mod . gov . uk
the imjin WINTER 2021
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