Issue - meetings

Liz Firmstone (Service Manager, Finance Transformation) introduced the report which provided an update on the key developments affecting pensions administration and the performance of the Pensions Administration Service.

Councillor Gifford expressed support for the Council’s decision not to seek to recover any past overpayments made to members of the Warwickshire Local Government Pension Scheme which had been identified by the Guaranteed Minimum Pension (GMP) reconciliation exercise. Many those affected were elderly and vulnerable, and there was no suggestion that overpayments had been made because of any fraudulent activity.

In response to Councillor Gifford, Liz Firmstone advised that overpayments had been made by employers across the Fund, not just Warwickshire County Council. Those employers had been informed of the decision not to seek to recover overpayments.

Andy Felton (Assistant Director, Finance) stated that some press coverage had implied that the reconciliation exercise involved writing-off of approximately £2m. This had not been the case. He advised that overpayments could be treated as legitimate payments arising from a change of legislation.

In response to Councillor Hammersley, Liz Firmstone advised that underpayments identified by the GMP reconciliation exercise would be rectified to ensure that members would receive their full entitlement.

The Chair expressed support for the move to Member Self Service enabling pensions statements to be accessed electronically. He commented that some elderly members of the Scheme may be unwilling to make the transition to the digital service. However, in the longer-term, it was likely that the cost-saving and environmental benefits would become increasingly apparent.

Resolved:

That the Committee endorses the report.