megilleland Posted January 18, 2018 Report Posted January 18, 2018 In Herefordshire Council latest news Statement in response to media enquiries, 17 January 2018Herefordshire Council can confirm that it is actively working with this individual to secure accommodation within the county.Unfortunately, to date the individual has not provided all the documentation needed to legally register for housing. However, regardless of this, the council’s housing team has found and offered two different forms of accommodation, in areas which were agreeable to the individual, but which have subsequently been turned down.We are continuing to work with the individual to help them secure appropriate housing.Published: Wednesday, 17th January 2018 Ubique could this be a response to these articles which appeared in the Daily Express and The Sun? Quote
Glenda Powell Posted January 18, 2018 Report Posted January 18, 2018 See this story in the Sun news paper, and on National page of HT he was one of the Iranian Embassy SAS Quote
Ubique Posted January 18, 2018 Report Posted January 18, 2018 Megilland , yes it is the official response . Best I leave it to that . Quote
H.Wilson Posted January 20, 2018 Report Posted January 20, 2018 Hang on a second, lets take the SAS Hero part out of this, I do not see why that needs to be mentioned. This guy since then has run a business which has now unfortunately failed along with his marriage, surely he just has to wait inline like anyone else apply for accommodation. Quote
Ubique Posted January 22, 2018 Report Posted January 22, 2018 Statement in response to national media enquiries: 22 January 2018 Monday 22 January Herefordshire Council ensures that no member of the Armed Forces community faces disadvantage in the provision of public and commercial services compared to any other citizen. As part of the council’s commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant, ex-members of the Armed Forces receive additional assistance to aid their position on the social housing waiting list, which should speed up an offer of securing appropriate housing. We work to find suitable accommodation for any applicant that requires it and recommend that any individual requiring support of this nature, provides all the necessary details requested, so we can process and provide support in a timely manner. There is more information about our commitment to supporting the Armed Forces in Herefordshire on the council's website. Wednesday 17 January Herefordshire Council can confirm that it is actively working with this individual to secure accommodation within the county. Unfortunately, to date the individual has not provided all the documentation needed to legally register for housing. However, regardless of this, the council’s housing team has found and offered two different forms of accommodation, in areas which were agreeable to the individual, but which have subsequently been turned down. We are continuing to work with the individual to help them secure appropriate housing. Published: Monday, 22nd January 2018 Quote
Colin James Posted January 22, 2018 Report Posted January 22, 2018 Bob Curry was a national hero and risked his life many times. Unfortunately, his business only collapsed in November due to MOD cutbacks he lost his security contract! He has run this fairly stable business since the late 80's so hardly his fault. The man had to sell his medals for 20k in an attempt to keep his business going but unfortunately that money also ran out. His marriage has now ended and the man has hit hard times (which could happen to any of us). Ironically, the only serviving terrorist from the Iranian Embassy siege in 1980 Fowzi Nejad is still believed to be living in London rent-free - while SAS hero Bob Curry struggles to find a home! This man and his colleagues should be knighted or at least recognised with some honour just for what they all did on that day in 1980 and this is not taking into account the rest of their service history! Bob Curry is circled below. This is disgusting it really is, if you agree please sign the petition here Quote
ragwert Posted January 22, 2018 Report Posted January 22, 2018 While I think that every soldier who serves our Country should get that extra help when they leave the forces this story is getting a little out of hand with some disgusting comments in papers & social media like facebook.This one's to Herefordshire CouncilC***S YOU ARE NO MORE NEEDED TO BE SAID APART FROM I HOPE YOU NEED THE SAS AND SOME OF YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS DIE AT THE HAND OF SCUM ! Quote
megilleland Posted January 22, 2018 Author Report Posted January 22, 2018 Hi Ragwert. Yes it seems to bring out the best in people. Quote
DILLIGAF Posted January 23, 2018 Report Posted January 23, 2018 GMB all over this. Not good advertisement for HC. Failed at the first hurdle by refusing outright to comment, not even the fact that he was offered interim accommodations; (that even squatters would refuse). A tip for HC, when the national TV media appears on your doorstep, you’d be wise to send out the boss and explain, even if it is a ‘no comment’ interview. Don’t leave your reception clerk to take the grief. The whole of HC is a shambles, when will someone be accountable for the mess this city is in? City of Culture my 4r5e. Quote
ragwert Posted January 23, 2018 Report Posted January 23, 2018 I'm under the impression that Herefordshire council don't own or look after any council houses etc. Is this not the responsibility of Herefordshire Housing or whatever they are ? Quote
megilleland Posted January 23, 2018 Author Report Posted January 23, 2018 The folly of numbers: 332,000 votes for Bob Curry - Herefordshire Council can't/won't change the world unless the cabinet of 8 agree to do so. So few against so many. Tory council majority on council only 3 - will it ever change? Quote
megilleland Posted January 23, 2018 Author Report Posted January 23, 2018 extract from Herefordshire Council's Housing Allocation Policy for Herefordshire2.3.1.1 Armed Forces:The Housing Act 1996 (Additional Preference for Armed Forces)(England) Regulations 2012 provide that local housing authorities MUST frame their allocation policy to give additional preference to the following persons if they fall within one or more of the statutory reasonable preference categories and are in urgent need:* serving members of the regular forces who are suffering from a serious injury, illness or disability which is wholly or partly attributable to their service * former members of the regular armed forces * bereaved spouses or civil partners of those serving in the regular forces where (i) the bereaved spouse or civil partner has recently deceased, or will cease to be entitled, to reside in Ministry of Defence accommodation following the death of their spouse or civil partner, and (ii) the death was wholly or partly attributable to their service. * existing or former members of the reserve forces who are suffering from a serious injury, illness, or disability which is wholly or partly attributable to their serviceIf an ‘Armed Forces’ applicant is able to meet the local connection criteria (or is exempt from this), does not have sufficient resource to meet their own housing need and falls into one or more of the statutory reasonable preference categories, the Housing Allocation Policy for Herefordshire will award the applicant an additional 6 months in waiting time at the point that need has been assessed or date of registration (if need hasn’t changed over time).Bereaved spouses and civil partners of service personnel who are required to leave service families accommodation following the death of their spouse or partners are likely to experience similar issues to service families on discharge from the forces. The Regulations are intended therefore to protect bereaved spouses and civil partners from the time they are required to leave service families accommodation until they are able to obtain alternative settled accommodation. The Regulations also apply to members of the reserve forces who suffer from a serious illness, injury or disability as a result of their service, recognising that they may find that their current accommodation is no longer suitable for their needs or affordable, or that they may have to move to access care or support.The Herefordshire Armed Forces Community Covenant, established as part of a government initiative to promote greater understanding between the general public and the military was signed on 29th May 2012. The agreement aims to encourage all parties within a community to offer support to the local Armed Forces community and make it easier for Service personnel, families and veterans to access the help and support available. This policy is framed to recognise and remember the sacrifices faced by the Armed Forces Community and considers opportunities to support the housing needs of Service and ex Service personnel. Quote
megilleland Posted January 23, 2018 Author Report Posted January 23, 2018 I'm under the impression that Herefordshire council don't own or look after any council houses etc. Is this not the responsibility of Herefordshire Housing or whatever they are ? Housing in Herefordshire Herefordshire Council do not own or manage any homes, having carried out a transfer of its entire housing stock to Herefordshire Housing Ltd in 2001. All social housing, also known as affordable housing, is owned and managed by housing associations operating in the county. Housing associations The main housing associations that own stock in Herefordshire are: Bromford Housing Group Fortis Living Housing Association (previously Festival Housing) Guinness Hermitage Herefordshire Housing Limited Sanctuary Housing South Shropshire Housing Association Stonewater previously Marches Housing Association Two Rivers Housing West Mercia Homes (part of the WM Housing Group) If you would like to apply to register for housing in Herefordshire, please visit the Home Point website to complete an online application. Home Point Herefordshire is a choice-based lettings agency that was set up in partnership between Herefordshire Council and the main housing associations in Herefordshire. Home Point holds the central register for people in need of affordable rented homes in the county. Quote
Ubique Posted January 23, 2018 Report Posted January 23, 2018 Further Press release from the Council Tuesday 23 January Herefordshire Council can confirm that Mr Curry has been on the social housing waiting list since we met with him last Wednesday and he has placed a bid on a property. Our commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant means we prioritise housing for former members of the services and they’re given an advantage on the waiting list. We currently have 1,328 people and their families looking for social housing in Herefordshire and 13 of these have a forces background. Everyone registered for social housing is advised that the more flexible they can be with their choice of location, the quicker they are likely to receive appropriate housing. For example, there are 24 one-bed properties available across the entire county and only three of these are in Hereford city. Herefordshire Council does not own any housing stock, it is held by a number of different housing associations across the county. The council operates the social housing register and supports local people to apply and bid for available homes from housing associations. Once a bid has been placed, the applicant liaises directly with the housing association and not the council. However, the council does continue to provide support if people need to claim housing benefit. We know that it’s often hard for people to ask for support, especially in difficult personal circumstances, and our staff are sympathetic and supportive, whilst being fair to everyone who needs help. The council continues to provide support for veterans across the county and is currently working in partnership with the Veterans’ Self Build Group to build new homes for ex-service personnel in Leominster. Quote
Ubique Posted February 2, 2018 Report Posted February 2, 2018 From the BBC HW site A homeless SAS veteran has found a permanent home after 400,000 people signed a petition. Bob Curry, 64, is understood to have been part of the team that rescued hostages in the 1980 Iranian Embassy siege in London. He has now accepted a bungalow in Hereford from a local housing association. Quote
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