Agenda and minutes
PDF 88 KBVenue: Surrey Fire and Rescue Service Headquarters, Croydon Road, Reigate, Surrey RH2 0EJ
Contact: Sharmina Ullah
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APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE AND SUBSTITUTIONS
Minutes: Apologies were received from Glyn Parry-Jones. |
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MINUTES FROM THE PREVIOUS MEETING: 18 OCTOBER 2018
To agree the minutes as a true record of the meeting. Minutes: The minutes were agreed as an accurate record of the meeting. |
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DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
To receive any declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests from Members in respect of any item to be considered at the meeting.
Notes: · In line with the Relevant Authorities (Disclosable Pecuniary Interests) Regulations 2012, declarations may relate to the interest of the member, or the member’s spouse or civil partner, or a person with whom the member is living as husband or wife, or a person with whom the member is living as if they were civil partners and the member is aware they have the interest. · Members need only disclose interests not currently listed on the Register of Disclosable Pecuniary Interests. · Members must notify the Monitoring Officer of any interests disclosed at the meeting so they may be added to the Register. · Members are reminded that they must not participate in any item where they have a disclosable pecuniary interest.
Minutes: There were none. |
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QUESTIONS AND PETITIONS
To receive any questions or petitions.
Notes:
1. The deadline for Member’s questions is 12.00pm four working days before the meeting (11 December 2018). 2. The deadline for public questions is seven days before the meeting (10 December 2018). 3. The deadline for petitions was 14 days before the meeting, and no petitions have been received. Minutes: 1. The Board received questions from members of the public and responses were tabled at the meeting (attached as Annex 1).
2. Concerns were raised by the Board with the level of response in dealing with concerning member’s benefits issues and recommended action to improve operational processes and the timeline of payments.
Actions/ further information to be provided:
The Vice-Chairman to provide the public questioners with the Board’s responses.
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Purpose of the report: The Board is asked to note its Action Tracker. Minutes: 1. The Board agreed it would be useful to have some training organised to refresh and develop a wider understanding of the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme. The Pensions Service Delivery Manager agreed to explore training opportunities for the Board.
Actions/ further information to be provided:
The Pensions Service Delivery Manager to explore training opportunities for the Board.
Resolved:
The Board reviewed and noted its Action Tracker. |
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ADMINISTRATION UPDATE 1 OCTOBER - 30 NOVEMBER 2018
Purpose of the report: The Board is asked to note the content of this report and make recommendations if any further action is required. Additional documents: Minutes: Declarations of interest:
None
Witnesses:
Clare Chambers, Pensions Service Delivery Manager Michael Mann, Pensions Lead Manager Jane Marshall, Partner, Weightmans LLP
Key points raised during the discussion:
1. The Pensions Service Delivery Manager introduced the report and provided the Board with an update of performance and current issues.
2. It was noted that work was underway in respect of data quality scores. detailed reports identifying areas of improvement would be provided by Heywood’s.
3. To enable the Board to keep track of key dates and progress the Pensions Service Delivery Manager agreed to share the scheme calendar.
4. It was highlighted that the Member Self Service Portal was still in development and would require further testing before it was launched to members of the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme.
5. There was a discussion around the ongoing issue with the retained firefighters’ option to elect to join the modified section of the FPS 2006. The Board noted that legal advice had been sought on how to correct the matter and that the resolution of this breach had been prioritised by the Administration team.
6. It was noted that the failure to comply with overriding legislation and statutory guidance on this matter was not a country wide issue and therefore any anticipated resolution from the Home Office was highly unlikely. It was further noted actuarial advice would need to be sought to determine how to resolve reaching an arrangement or compensating those affected.
7. It was highlighted that there would be different solutions for the different types of members affected by this breach. The Board noted that deferred members would be the most complex category to determine going forward.
8. The Pensions Lead Manager agreed to share the Service’s work plan at the Board’s next meeting to demonstrate progress in resolving the issue.
9. The Board were informed that Surrey’s Internal Audit Department were reviewing how the issue arose and make recommendations for improvement.
10. The Chairman agreed to take the meeting into Part 2, private.
Recommendation: That under Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information under the relevant paragraphs of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act. Actions/ further information to be provided:
The Pensions Service Delivery Manager to share the Pensions Scheme calendar with the Board.
The Board to receive a report from Heywoods on Data Quality Scores.
The Pensions Lead Manager to provide the Board with the Service’s work plan to rectify the issue concerning the Modified Scheme 2006.
The Board to review the report on the matter from Internal Audit.
Resolved:
The Board noted the content of this report. |
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A FAILURE TO PAY MEMBER/DEPENDANT BENEFITS EITHER ACCURATELY OR IN A TIMELY MANNER
Purpose of the report: Provide the Board with an update on the corrective action taken. Additional documents: Minutes: Declarations of interest:
None
Witnesses:
Clare Chambers, Pensions Service Delivery Manager Michael Mann, Pensions Lead Manager
Key points raised during the discussion:
1. The Board noted the breach report submitted to the Pensions Regulator regarding outstanding payments and were advised that the matter had now been resolved.
Actions/ further information to be provided:
None
Resolved:
The Board noted the content of this report.
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GUARANTEED MINIMUM PENSION (GMP) RECONCILIATION PROJECT
Purpose of the report: Provide the Board with an update on the progress of this important project. Minutes: Declarations of interest:
None
Witnesses:
Clare Chambers, Pensions Service Delivery Manager Michael Mann, Pensions Lead Manager
Key points raised during the discussion:
1. The Lead Pensions Manager provided an update on the guaranteed minimum pensions (GMP) reconciliation exercise, informing the Board that the number of GMP discrepancies submitted to HMRC (National Insurance Services to Pensions Industry) was reducing.
2. It was highlighted HMRC were expecting a large number of queries to be registered with them on a national basis and as a consequence, issue resolution would take place through to April 2019.
3. The Board noted some decisions would need to be made on how to progress certain issues and these would be presented as the project developed. The Board noted that resolution of discrepancies would follow advice from the Home Office and LGA.
Actions/ further information to be provided:
None
Resolved:
The Board noted the content of this report.
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SURREY FIREFIGHTERS' RISK REGISTER
Purpose of the report: To ensure good governance and compliance with the Pensions Regulator’s Code of Practice the Board is asked to review the Surrey Firefighters’ Pension Scheme (FFPS) Risk Register.
Additional documents: Minutes: Declarations of interest:
None
Witnesses:
Ayaz Malik, Accountant Advisor – Pensions
Key points raised during the discussion:
1. The Accountant Advisor introduced the report by highlighting the new risks added to the register: · The failure to agree ownership for scheme manager responsibilities · A sub-risk under F9 to identify the modified scheme issue · The cost floor breach
2. The Board requested that the risk register include a new risk to highlight the lack of resources within the Pension Service and within Surrey Fire and Rescue..
3. The Board asked the Accountant Advisor to review risk F5, indicating that the contact details on the public website were out dated.
4. The Accountant Advisor noted discrepancies with the residual risk figures for F8, F9 and F19 and assured the Board the risk register would be reviewed to resolve this.
Actions/ further information to be provided:
None
Resolved:
The Board noted the content of this report, the inclusion of additional risks and and recommended the following amendments;
a) Add a new risk to highlight the lack of resources b) To re-review risks F5, F8, F9 and F19
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DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING
The Board to consider and agree the date of the next meeting. Minutes: Due to the increased activity surrounding the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme the Board decided it would be appropriate to have quarterly meetings in 2019 and agreed there next meeting to be held in March 2019. As a result of agreeing two additional meetings next year the Board were asked to reconsider the provision of substitute members. |