Hampshire County Council
Councillors:
78
Wards:
76
Committees:
49
Meetings (2025):
165
Meetings (2024):
156
Meeting
HIWFRA Firefighters’ Pension Board - Hampshire
Meeting Times
Scheduled Time
Start:
Thursday, 24th April 2025
10:00 AM
Thursday, 24th April 2025
10:00 AM
End:
Thursday, 24th April 2025
2:00 PM
Thursday, 24th April 2025
2:00 PM
Meeting Status
Status:
Confirmed
Confirmed
Date:
24 Apr 2025
24 Apr 2025
Location:
Room X - Hampshire & IOW Fire & Police HQ, Eastleigh
Room X - Hampshire & IOW Fire & Police HQ, Eastleigh
Meeting Attendees
Vice-Chairman
Sean Harrison
Employer Representative
Apologies
Committee Member
Rob Sansome
Employer Representative
Present, as expected
Committee Member
Ross Singleton
Scheme Representative
Present, as expected
Committee Member
Richard North
Scheme Representative
Present, as expected
Committee Member
Ant Westbrook
Scheme Representative
Present, as expected
Secretary
Nikola Berry
Expected
Chairman
Richard Scarth
Scheme Representative
Present, as expected
Committee Member
Tor Strowger
Employer Representative
Present, as expected
Agenda
1
Apologies for Absence
To receive any apologies for absence.
Minutes
Apologies had been received from Sean Harrison.
2
Declarations of Interest
To enable Members to disclose to the meeting any disclosable pecuniary interest they may have in any matter on the agenda for the meeting, where that interest is not already entered in the Authority’s register of interests, and any other pecuniary or non-pecuniary interests in any such matter that Members may wish to disclose.
Minutes
Members were mindful of their duty to disclose at the meeting any Disclosable Pecuniary Interest they had in any matter on the agenda for the meeting, where that interest was not already in the Authority’s register of interests, and their ability to disclose any other personal interests in any such matter that they might have wished to disclose.
3
Minutes of Previous Meeting
To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting.
Attachments:
- Document Minutes Public Pack, 27/01/2025 HIWFRA Firefighters’ Pension Board 14 Apr 2025
Minutes
The minutes of the last meeting were reviewed and agreed.
4
Deputations
Pursuant to Standing Order 19, to receive any deputations to this meeting.
Minutes
There were no deputations.
5
Chairman's Announcements
To receive any announcements the Chairman may wish to make.
Minutes
The Chairman noted that he was attending the Local Government Association Pension Chairs meeting and would feedback accordingly.
6
HIWFRA Pension Board Annual Report 2024-2025
To review the annual report from the Fire Pension Board to the Standards and Governance Committee which summarises the work of the Board for the 2024/25 financial year in the exercise of its functions.
Attachments:
- Document HIWFRA Pension Board Annual Report 2024-2025 14 Apr 2025
- Document HIWFRA Pension Board Annual Report 2024-2025 - Appendix A 14 Apr 2025
Minutes
The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Firefighters’ Pension Board received the HIWFRA Pension Board Annual Report for 2024 to 2025 from the Chief Fire Officer.
The Board noted that this was an annual report from the Fire Pension Board to the Audit and Governance Committee to summarise the work of the Board for the 2024/25 financial year in the exercise of its functions.
Officers set out that it had been an important year in the implementation of both the Matthews and McCloud pension remedies, with significant progress in both. The Board had also looked ahead at emerging issues such as Pension Dashboards and changes to the Firefighters 2015 scheme employee pension contribution rates.
Members noted the deadline for the issuing of Remediable Service Statement Annual Benefits Statements for active and deferred members in relation to the McCloud Age Discrimination Remedy was by 31 August 2024. However, it had not been until November that all statements had been produced. Compared to the national situation this was very good progress, however, it constituted a breach of pensions legislation.
This breach was noted by the Board and reported to the Pensions Regulator. To date the Pensions Regulator have not asked for any further information.
RESOLVED:
That the content of the annual report is approved for submission to the HIWFRA Audit and Governance Committee by the HIWFRA Firefighters' Pension Board.
The Board noted that this was an annual report from the Fire Pension Board to the Audit and Governance Committee to summarise the work of the Board for the 2024/25 financial year in the exercise of its functions.
Officers set out that it had been an important year in the implementation of both the Matthews and McCloud pension remedies, with significant progress in both. The Board had also looked ahead at emerging issues such as Pension Dashboards and changes to the Firefighters 2015 scheme employee pension contribution rates.
Members noted the deadline for the issuing of Remediable Service Statement Annual Benefits Statements for active and deferred members in relation to the McCloud Age Discrimination Remedy was by 31 August 2024. However, it had not been until November that all statements had been produced. Compared to the national situation this was very good progress, however, it constituted a breach of pensions legislation.
This breach was noted by the Board and reported to the Pensions Regulator. To date the Pensions Regulator have not asked for any further information.
RESOLVED:
That the content of the annual report is approved for submission to the HIWFRA Audit and Governance Committee by the HIWFRA Firefighters' Pension Board.
7
Legislation and Local Government (LGA) Update Report
To receive a report providing an update on legislation and the Local Government Association.
Attachments:
- Document Legislation and Local Government Association (LGA) Update Report 14 Apr 2025
Minutes
The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Firefighters’ Pension Board received an update report on Legislation and Local Government from the Chief Financial Officer.
Members noted the reports updates from the Local Government Association Firefighters Pension bulletins, including the; employer and member contribution rate, McCloud Pension Remedy, Matthews Pension Remedy and the pension dashboard, ombudsman and regulator. The report also included updates on HMRC and training opportunities for members.
Officers set out the necessary actions taken to address these were summarised in the appendix to the report.
Board members discussed methods to increase engagement with eligible scheme members in relation to the Matthews Pension Remedy, expressing concerns that some may believe it to be a scam. Officers reassured the Board that efforts were being undertaken to contact all members to ensure they were taking informed decisions.
RESOLVED:
That the content of the report was noted by the HIWFRA Firefighters' Pension Board.
Members noted the reports updates from the Local Government Association Firefighters Pension bulletins, including the; employer and member contribution rate, McCloud Pension Remedy, Matthews Pension Remedy and the pension dashboard, ombudsman and regulator. The report also included updates on HMRC and training opportunities for members.
Officers set out the necessary actions taken to address these were summarised in the appendix to the report.
Board members discussed methods to increase engagement with eligible scheme members in relation to the Matthews Pension Remedy, expressing concerns that some may believe it to be a scam. Officers reassured the Board that efforts were being undertaken to contact all members to ensure they were taking informed decisions.
RESOLVED:
That the content of the report was noted by the HIWFRA Firefighters' Pension Board.
8
Fire Pension Board Status Report and Risk Register Review
To receive an update on the development of key issues and to review the Risk Register.
Attachments:
- Document HIWFRA Pension Board Status Report and Risk Register Review 14 Apr 2025
- Document HIWFRA Pension Board Status Report and Risk Register Review - Appendix A Risk Register 14 Apr 2025
Minutes
The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Firefighters’ Pension Board received the Fire Pension Board Status Report and Risk Register for review from the Chief Financial Officer.
Officers explained that this report provided a specific activity update for the Board, including an update of the risk register. It was noted that representatives from HIWFRA, IBC pensions administration and Hampshire Pension Services continue to attend information sharing meetings as appropriate. In addition, monthly meetings between Hampshire Pension Services and the Chief Financial Officer, to review bulletins and to agree on actions have continued.
Members noted that, due to progress on the McCloud Pension Remedy, formal project implementation meetings have now ceased.
Officers provided an explanation for the proposed updates to the Risk Register, which included the removal of several of the identified risks due to the actions taken. Risk 13, relating to potential changes to the employee rate was discussed due to concerns surrounding the impact and the lack of awareness in relation to it. Officers assured members that suitable action would be taken to mitigate this.
RESOLVED:
That the content of the report and risk register at Appendix A was noted by the HIWFRA Firefighters' Pension Board.
Officers explained that this report provided a specific activity update for the Board, including an update of the risk register. It was noted that representatives from HIWFRA, IBC pensions administration and Hampshire Pension Services continue to attend information sharing meetings as appropriate. In addition, monthly meetings between Hampshire Pension Services and the Chief Financial Officer, to review bulletins and to agree on actions have continued.
Members noted that, due to progress on the McCloud Pension Remedy, formal project implementation meetings have now ceased.
Officers provided an explanation for the proposed updates to the Risk Register, which included the removal of several of the identified risks due to the actions taken. Risk 13, relating to potential changes to the employee rate was discussed due to concerns surrounding the impact and the lack of awareness in relation to it. Officers assured members that suitable action would be taken to mitigate this.
RESOLVED:
That the content of the report and risk register at Appendix A was noted by the HIWFRA Firefighters' Pension Board.
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