Agenda and draft minutes

None

Members and officers must declare any pecuniary or personal interest in any business on the agenda. They should also make declarations at any stage such an interest becomes apparent during the meeting. Consideration should be given to leaving the meeting if the nature of the interest warrants it. If in doubt, contact Peter Rickard before the meeting.

None declared

Items not on the agenda, which the Chairman of the meeting is of the opinion, should be considered as a matter of urgency by reason of special circumstances.

None raised

To confirm the Part I minutes of the meeting of the Board held on 7 December 2022.

Part 1 Minutes agreed by board members

Members are asked to indicate at this stage if they wish the meeting to consider bringing into Part I any items on the Part II agenda, that is whether they wish to discuss in depth any aspect of the Part II minutes of the previous meeting.

No items brought forward

Report by Chief Fire Officer.

The Board is asked to provide feedback on the content of the report and request any further information that is required.

Items were reviewed by exception. RW explained that the format was new with a full project scope had been provided to set out resource requirements, responsibilities and milestones. Implementation will be monitored by the Pensions Team and updates to be provided to Board.

R7 - Has the resource been supplied and signed off?

RW confirmed that more detail is available in the Administration Procedures and Performance paper regarding local and national steps being built in for this, but work is ongoing in the payroll team for Matthews in pulling together the records ready for when we have more clarity. A more detailed resourced-based decision plan will be agreed to ensure appropriate steps are taken for when McCloud and Matthews remedial regulations are laid.

R20 – JW confirmed that it is highly likely the unions will seek to appeal the decision in relation to the Cost Cap. RW confirmed that the Pensions team are cognisant of this being challenged and so the risk is remaining open.

Report by Chief Fire Officer.

The Board is asked to note the report and request any further information that is required.

The Board is asked to note the report and request any further information that is required.

RW explained that there has been an update in format to align with specific projects such as McCloud. The paper also reflects what is on the horizon

A question was raised around the number of ill health retirements that will need to be considered as part of the McCloud remedy. When the legislation is changed in Oct 2023, how quickly will these situations be remedied? One dates to 2018 so there is significant financial hardship being experienced over a prolonged period.

Action PR – will find the answer and bring back to the board in writing.

Action JW - Joe Weir agreed to share the details of those he is aware of with ill health retirements and who are awaiting this consideration

Report by the Chief Fire Officer.

The Board is asked to consider the report.

RW - this paper summarises what has come out through Local Government Association (LGA), with the exclusion of items covered elsewhere in agenda.

A question was raised around the recent settlement on pay dating back to July 2022. What is the process in place to make sure the pensions are updated accordingly? Previously members had to write individually to request the pensions be updated. Is this still the case?

It was confirmed that the individual must still write to the Pension Scheme Manager to specifically state that they wish their pension to be treated in this way. There is nothing locally in terms of a discretionary process.

Action PR/RW to investigate the option regarding the establishment of an internal process to avoid members having to write in

Report by Chief Fire Officer.

The Board is asked to note the report and provide any feedback on the communications provided within the report.

Increased communications will be required over the next 6 months, particularly as the McCloud and Matthews judgements are made. The Pension newsletter will be emailed out to members and sent as hard copy along with member’s payslips where they have opted out of electronic communication.

Knowledge assessment report by Chief Fire Officer.

The Board is asked to note the report and provide any feedback on the training referred to within the report.

This board will monitor compliance and will send out emails for any gaps in training identified.

The Register of Interest forms need to be completed, thank you to those who have done so. There is one outstanding.

Action AT to email reminder to that board member.

We have booked an extended session on 14 June to allow for the provision of training by the LGA. All members to attend if possible and any items you would like covered please email the Chair and it will be accommodated within the training session as appropriate.

The next meeting of the Board will be held at 10.00am on Wednesday 14 June 2023 at County Hall, Chichester.

Joe Weir and Giles Sparks are unable to attend

Action AT will look at moving the date

The Board is asked to consider in respect of the following item(s) whether the public, including the press, should be excluded from the meeting on the grounds of exemption under Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, as indicated below, and because, in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption of that information outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

Exempt: Paragraph 3, financial or business affairs of another person (including the authority)

Resolved – That under Section 100(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following item(s) of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I, of Schedule 12A, of the Act by virtue of the paragraph specified under the item and that, in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption of that information outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

Exempt: Paragraph 3, financial or business affairs of any person (including the authority).

To confirm the Part II minutes of the meeting of the Board held on 7 December 2022 (for members of the Board only - yellow paper).

The Part II minutes were confirmed by the Board.