Issue - meetings

Martin Griffiths (Technical Specialist) said there had been a training session for new members of the Local Pension Board the previous week.

The update was provided by Vicky Jenks. She reminded members the legislation required for the second modified retained exercise had taken effect from 1 October. It was believed all scheme members within scope had been identified, and information informing them of the benefits and options available to them was in the process of being prepared for circulation before 31 December.

Regulations relating to the age discrimination remedy had also taken effect from 1 October. Vicky Jenks said the regulations meant all members within scope would be rolled back into their legacy scheme for the remedy period, which was from 1 April 2015 to 31 March 2022. Three retirement options would be presented to those approaching retirement. There had been a delay to the creation of remedial service statements, however. Matthew Mott (WYPF) said the statements were unlikely to be available before the end of the month. He expressed disappointment at this, particularly considering how long the information had been known by the Home Office.

It had now been confirmed that compensation payments arising from the age discrimination remedy would be covered by the annual managed expenditure top up grant, and there would not be a requirement for the Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service to cover any extra costs.

Responding to a question from Sally Waldron, Vicky Jenks said there had been some messaging shared with Paul Morley that went out in the fire newsletters. However an update could be provided to share by the fire service that would inform members when the member portal would be updated to show the roll back into legacy schemes.

The incorrect rates for the increases applied to CARE benefits were being corrected by WYPF, before the legislation had been corrected. The Chair said some of the issues had been caused by the government using the incorrect inflation rate in their calculations, and the need for administrators to recalculate. Vicky Jenks said this had caused some minor differences.

Members noted theupdate report.