Agenda and minutes

Sian Marsh and Tony Morgan

(As stipulated by the Public Sector Pensions Act 2013 and set out in Annex A of the Agreed Board Terms of Reference).

None.

The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed as a true and accurate record.

Neil Buxton, Technical Specialist - Pension Fund Policy and Governance, advised the Board that, following a review of the governance arrangements for the Firefighter Pension Schemes, the minutes of the Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service Local Pension Board were now being reviewed by the Staff and Pensions Committee. 

Neil Buxton, Technical Specialist - Pension Fund Policy and Governance, presented this report to the Board which set out a rolling forward plan for a one year period. The plan included a number of standard items but was intended to be flexible and accommodate any developing issues at each meeting.  It was intended that there would be more policies coming forward including cyber security and fraud. Vicky Jenks, Pensions Admin Delivery Lead, highlighted the upcoming introductory training session on 27 September 2021.

The Board noted the content of the plan.

Neil Buxton, Technical Specialist - Pension Fund Policy and Governance, presented this report which provided an update on the risks facing the administration of the pension service and actions taken to manage them.  The report also detailed the proposed risk appetite for adoption. 

The Board noted that outsourcing of the pension administration service would have some impact on the risk register. 

Resolved

1.     The Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Local Pension Board noted the report and the risk register attached at Appendix 1.

2.     That Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Local Pension Board approved the risk appetite statement at Section 2.3 of the report.

Vicky Jenks, Pensions Admin Delivery Lead, presented this report which provided an update on key developments affecting Fire pensions administration and the performance of the Pensions Administration Service, including breaches, Internal Disputes, McCloud/Sargeant and immediate detriment cases and outsourcing of the Firefighter Pensions Administration Service and Pensioner Payroll.

The Chair sought clarity on the actions that the successful bidder for the outsourcing of the firefighter pensions administration (West Yorkshire Pension Fund) would be taken with regard to the remedy position and the requirements of scheme managers.  Vicky Jenks advised that bidders had been required to address this question in their tender responses but there were still many unknowns with regard to the legislation that was coming through.  The Chair sought further clarification that scheme members would be updated and Vicky Jenks advised that members would be contacted to update them on the transfer and advise who the new provider was.

Responding to a question from the Chair regarding breaches, Vicky Jenks advised that there was a breaches log that could be shared.  She noted that Annual Benefit Statements had been issued but a very limited number had not gone out on time due to outstanding information and some thought was being given as to whether The Pensions Regulator needed to be informed.

The Board noted the report. 

Tuesday, 9 November 2021

Monday, 14 February 2022

Tuesday, 10 May 2022

All meetings start at 2.00pm, unless specified otherwise and will be scheduled to take place virtually or at Shire Hall, Warwick.

Future meeting dates were noted as follows:

Tuesday, 9 November 2021

Monday, 14 February 2022

Tuesday, 10 May 2022

All meetings were scheduled to start at 2.00pm and would take place virtually or at Shire Hall Warwick.

Liz Firmstone, Service Manager (Transformation), noted that there was an elected Member vacancy on the Board which had been raised with the Legal Team. 

Paul Morley agreed to raise the regular attendance of a Fire and Rescue Service Association Representative at the next Service Consultancy meeting.