Agenda item

Paper attached.

CONSIDERED paper summarising current pension matters both locally and nationally which required input from the Service. In particular, the paper addressed:

Pension Surveys and Annual Returns

The annual Internal Dispute Resolution Procedure data return had been submitted to the Bluelight Pensions team at the LGA in May 2021.

The LGA had requested completion of a remedy self-assessment survey, which is due by 30 June 2021. The survey sought to gain understanding of arrangements for managing the pension scheme and specifically implementing the age discrimination remedy. The Service had responded to this survey.

The data required by the Scheme Administrator, West Yorkshire Pension Fund (WYPF), for the 2021 Annual Benefit Statements was submitted on 13 May 2021. The Service was fully up to date with the pension reporting required monthly by WYPF.

Pension Communications

An email communication setting out the Authority’s decision on progressing immediate detriment cases had been circulated to all eligible staff on 23 April 2021.

An intranet page had been created to provide updates regarding the pension reform and age discrimination remedy. This was communicated to staff by the Service communications team on 24 May 2021.

Also on 24 May 2021, communication were issued on the launch of the first national website for Firefighters’ pension scheme members, based on the scheme rules currently in place. Future content, including age discrimination remedy updates, would be added.

The LGA had advised that 2021 Annual Benefit Statements (ABS) for protected members should not include projections beyond the current scheme year. This would be communicated in the ABS and the LGA acknowledged that, whilst this would be disappointing to members, it was due to the limitations within the software at present.

A communication was issued on 21 April 2021 signposting FPS members to their online pension accounts, where members will be able to view their ABS.

In March 2021, the National Audit Office (NAO) published a report into public service pensions. Whilst it was reported that the introduction of the 2015 scheme helped contain rising costs, it contained five key recommendations on issues the Government should look to address soon, including the impact of age discrimination remedy and how the cost control mechanism works.

Pension Projects (Transition Protection Judgement; O’Brien v Ministry of Justice; Fixed-term contracts and eligibility to join the Firefighters’ Pensions Schemes; Ill health Injury Pension and State benefits)

The paper set out:

·           the Authority decision, at its Extraordinary Meeting on 20 April 2021, to seek to remedy “immediate detriment” cases in light of transition protection judgement and subsequent advice from the government and the LGA. Nine requests had been received for immediate detriment quotations for retirement before 1 April 2022. Linked to this issue, the Authority would be invited to revise its policy on Voluntary Scheme Pays at its meeting on 29 June 2021. The LGA had released a set of remedy data collection tools. Additionally, both the government and the LGA had issued updated guidance on immediate detriment cases. The Scheme Advisory Board had written an open letter to the Treasury requesting further clarity on associated specific policy issues – contribution adjustments for 2006 Scheme members; decisions for taper members; and contingent decisions;

·           that there were no new updates on the O’Brien v Ministry of Justice case (Special Members of the 2006 Scheme – Second Options Exercise);

·           that the Scheme Advisory Board (SAB) had confirmed its earlier advice that temporary employments were not pensionable. The SAB would issue fire and rescue authorities with an advice note to enable them to obtain bespoke legal advice on this matter as required;

·           that WYPF was engaged in work to assess the interaction between State benefits and pension payments in relation to the treatment of Retirement Allowance benefits for a number of people who retired with an ill health injury on duty.

Reporting Breaches of Law

There had been no breaches to report since last meeting

Internal Dispute Resolution Procedure (IDRP)

There had been no new complaints under the Procedure since the last Board meeting.

Pension Administrator Quality of Service

The Service continued to have an excellent working relationship with WYPF, with both parties seeking to improve the arrangements in place.

Board Membership

Peter Redbourn’s term as a Scheme Member representative on the Board would expire at the end of June 2021. Peter would be replaced, from 1 July 2021, by Philip Gillbard, a Crew Manager at Middlemoor and retained Watch Commander at Tiverton who has been with the Service 1991.

Additionally, this would be Caroline’s last meeting in support of the Board. The Board asked to have placed on record its thanks to:

·           Peter for his valuable contribution since the Board’s inception in 2015;

·           Caroline for her support to the Board.