Hampshire County Council
Councillors:
78
Wards:
76
Committees:
49
Meetings (2026):
57
Meetings (2025):
155
Meeting
HIWFRA Firefighters’ Pension Board - Hampshire
Meeting Times
Scheduled Time
Start:
Monday, 30th June 2025
10:00 AM
Monday, 30th June 2025
10:00 AM
End:
Monday, 30th June 2025
2:00 PM
Monday, 30th June 2025
2:00 PM
Meeting Status
Status:
Confirmed
Confirmed
Date:
30 Jun 2025
30 Jun 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
Present, as expected
Committee Member
Rob Sansome
Employer Representative
Present, as expected
Committee Member
Tor Strowger
Employer Representative
Present, as expected
Committee Member
Richard North
Scheme Representative
Apologies
Committee Member
Ant Westbrook
Scheme Representative
Apologies
Secretary
Nikola Berry
Expected
Chairman
Richard Scarth
Scheme Representative
Present, as expected
Committee Member
Ross Singleton
Scheme Representative
Present, as expected
Agenda
1
Apologies for Absence
To receive any apologies for absence.
Minutes
Apologies were received from Ant Westbrook and Richard North.
2
Election of Chairman
To elect a Chairman of the Pension Board in accordance with the Terms of Reference of the Pension Board, until the first meeting of the Board following the 2026 HIWFRA AGM.
Minutes
The Clerk called for nominations for a Chairman, noting the requirements of the Firefighters’ Pension Board Terms of Reference. Richard Scarth was nominated by Councillor Roger Price and seconded by Sean Harrison and in the absence of any further nominations duly appointed Chairman of the HIWFRA Firefighters’ Pension Board until the first meeting of the Board following the annual meeting of the Fire Authority in 2026.
3
Election of Vice-Chairman
To elect a Vice-Chairman of the Pension Board in accordance with the Terms of Reference of the Pension Board, until the first meeting of the Board following the 2026 HIWFRA AGM.
Minutes
The Chairman called for nominations for a Vice-Chairman, noting the requirements of the Firefighters’ Pension Board Terms of Reference. Sean Harrison was nominated by Richard Scarth, seconded by Cllr Roger Price and in the absence of any further nominations duly appointed Vice-Chairman of the HIWFRA Firefighters’ Pension Board until the first meeting of the Board following the annual meeting of the Fire Authority in 2026.
4
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.
5
Minutes of Previous Meeting
To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting.
Attachments:
- Document 2025 04 24 HIWFRA FPB Minutes 19 Jun 2025
Minutes
The minutes of the last meeting, held on 24 April 2025, were reviewed and agreed.
6
Deputations
Pursuant to Standing Order 19, to receive any deputations to this meeting.
Minutes
There were no deputations.
7
Chairman's Announcements
To receive any announcements the Chairman may wish to make.
Minutes
The Chairman informed the meeting that he had intended to attend the Local Government Association Pension Chairs meeting; however, due to operational commitments at the time, he was unable to do so. He expressed his intention to participate in the next scheduled meeting. Additionally, the Chairman reported that he had recently spent time at Basingstoke Fire Station. He took the opportunity to formally acknowledge the visit and extended his gratitude to the station personnel for their hospitality, noting that he had written to thank them for their time.
8
Legislation and Local Government (LGA) Update Report
To receive a report providing an update on legislation and the Local Government Association.
Attachments:
- Document HIWFRA Pension Board LGA and Legislation 19 Jun 2025
Minutes
The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Firefighters’ Pension Board received a report summarising the bulletins from the Local Government Association (LGA) that have been issued since the last Pension Board. This includes any legislative updates (item 8).
Members were advised that the current report covers the April and May bulletins, as the June edition has not yet been received. It was noted that updated versions of the Government Actuary’s Department (GAD) calculator are now available for both the McCloud and Matthews remedies. Bulletin 92 provided revised guidance concerning contingent decisions. However, a legislative amendment is still required to address outstanding issues related to this update, including the rectification of discrimination concerns.
An LGA 'Coffee Morning' is scheduled for 1 July, during which further clarification is expected. Any relevant updates will be reported at the next meeting. Members were also reminded that the Pension Dashboard remains on track for its planned launch on 31 October 2025.
HMRC has updated its online guidance to address tax implications arising from lump sum payments. Additionally, the LGA has reported that artificial intelligence is being used to identify and remove fraudulent pension websites, with removals occurring on a daily basis.
Members were informed of several upcoming virtual training opportunities, with strong attendance anticipated from HR colleagues at the sessions scheduled for 24 and 28 July. While these sessions are not recorded, the presentation slides are made available afterward for reference.
Concerns were raised regarding the accessibility of pension information for individuals not registered on the Pensions Portal. It was noted that correspondence often directs recipients to the Portal for further details, potentially limiting access for those not enrolled. The Deputy Chief Financial Officer confirmed she would liaise with Pension Services to consider options to address this issue.
Finally, Members requested that minutes from these meetings be published on the HIWFRA website, in line with the practice for Full Authority meetings. The Deputy Chief Financial Officer agreed to action this request.
RESOLVED
The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Firefighters’ Pension Board noted the contents of the report.
Members were advised that the current report covers the April and May bulletins, as the June edition has not yet been received. It was noted that updated versions of the Government Actuary’s Department (GAD) calculator are now available for both the McCloud and Matthews remedies. Bulletin 92 provided revised guidance concerning contingent decisions. However, a legislative amendment is still required to address outstanding issues related to this update, including the rectification of discrimination concerns.
An LGA 'Coffee Morning' is scheduled for 1 July, during which further clarification is expected. Any relevant updates will be reported at the next meeting. Members were also reminded that the Pension Dashboard remains on track for its planned launch on 31 October 2025.
HMRC has updated its online guidance to address tax implications arising from lump sum payments. Additionally, the LGA has reported that artificial intelligence is being used to identify and remove fraudulent pension websites, with removals occurring on a daily basis.
Members were informed of several upcoming virtual training opportunities, with strong attendance anticipated from HR colleagues at the sessions scheduled for 24 and 28 July. While these sessions are not recorded, the presentation slides are made available afterward for reference.
Concerns were raised regarding the accessibility of pension information for individuals not registered on the Pensions Portal. It was noted that correspondence often directs recipients to the Portal for further details, potentially limiting access for those not enrolled. The Deputy Chief Financial Officer confirmed she would liaise with Pension Services to consider options to address this issue.
Finally, Members requested that minutes from these meetings be published on the HIWFRA website, in line with the practice for Full Authority meetings. The Deputy Chief Financial Officer agreed to action this request.
RESOLVED
The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Firefighters’ Pension Board noted the contents of the report.
9
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 Pension Board Status Report and Risk Register Review 19 Jun 2025
- Document Pension Board Status Report and Risk Register Review - Appendix 1 19 Jun 2025
- Document Pension Board Status Report and Risk Register Review - Appendix 2 19 Jun 2025
- Document Pension Board Status Report and Risk Register Review - Appendix 3 19 Jun 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 (item 9).
Following a change in her role at Hampshire County Council, the Deputy Chief Financial Officer formally introduced Rob Sarfas as the new Chief Financial Officer, who was appointed by the Fire Authority earlier in the month. The Deputy Chief Financial Officer will continue to be involved with pensions to ensure continuity during this complex period.
Members were informed that the Compensation Scheme has not yet been launched, as no official guidance has been issued. Efforts to gather insight from other authorities have yielded only one response to date. Further responses are awaited to help determine an appropriate approach. It was emphasised that eligibility criteria must be clearly communicated to avoid a high volume of declined claims and potential dissatisfaction among claimants.
There is an outstanding issue to be resolved for members who have a McCloud entitlement following their Matthews election. Members were advised of a technical issue concerning lump sum payments under the Matthews remedy: arrears of pension must be received before a lump sum can be paid, as individuals are not deemed eligible for the lump sum until the arrears are cleared. While legislation stipulates that arrears must be paid within three months of the invoice date, the invoices currently state a 28-day payment period. Members were advised that individuals experiencing difficulty meeting this deadline should contact the HIWFRS HR team, who could review such cases individually.
It was agreed that Board Members Rob Sansome and Sean Harrison would assist in reviewing these cases. All cases will be anonymised prior to review. In response to a query from the Vice Chairman regarding whether individuals who take out loans to pay arrears would be eligible for compensation, it was noted that the specific criteria remain unclear. However, all individuals with outstanding invoices will be contacted to determine whether their cases require review.
Cllr Price raised a question regarding the implications of HIWFRA deducting arrears and proceeding with payments. It was confirmed that such action would constitute a breach of Pension Regulations, though the consequences of such a breach are currently unknown. The Deputy Chief Financial Officer committed to investigating the potential risks and reporting back. Members also noted that a formal response to the recent consultation on Firefighters’ Pension Scheme rates has not yet been received, despite the implementation date approaching. The associated risk has been updated on the register, as it is considered unfeasible to implement significant changes to pension scheme rates by October without further guidance. An update will be provided at the next meeting.
Members were informed that the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme Discretions Policy, including its format and discretions, is governed by legislation and outlines the decision-making framework. Proposed changes to delegations, detailed in the appendix, will be presented at a future Fire Authority meeting. It was noted that sections of this policy will cease to apply once all members of the 1992 and 2006 schemes have retired.
Additionally, Members were briefed on a proposal from the LGA to assume the role of Scheme Manager for all Firefighters’ Pension Schemes. HIWFRA has submitted a response suggesting that it would be appropriate also fully consider alternative options. Concerns were raised regarding how the Board would continue to receive updates under such an arrangement — specifically, whether the LGA would attend meetings, make interim decisions, or await formal guidance. As the legal responsibility for pensions would remain with the Fire Authority, implementation of this proposal could prove challenging.
Cllr Price, drawing on his experience with the LGA, noted that current implementation practices vary significantly between Scheme Managers. While minor inconsistencies can be beneficial by allowing for local risk assessment, major discrepancies pose a concern. Members agreed that a balanced approach is necessary. Finally, it was agreed that the risk register would be updated to include a placeholder for Local Government Reorganisation, as the future of HIWFRA within this context remains uncertain.
RESOLVED
·???????? The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Firefighters’ Pension Board noted the content of the report.
·???????? The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Firefighters’ Pension Board noted the content of the risk register at Appendix 1.
Following a change in her role at Hampshire County Council, the Deputy Chief Financial Officer formally introduced Rob Sarfas as the new Chief Financial Officer, who was appointed by the Fire Authority earlier in the month. The Deputy Chief Financial Officer will continue to be involved with pensions to ensure continuity during this complex period.
Members were informed that the Compensation Scheme has not yet been launched, as no official guidance has been issued. Efforts to gather insight from other authorities have yielded only one response to date. Further responses are awaited to help determine an appropriate approach. It was emphasised that eligibility criteria must be clearly communicated to avoid a high volume of declined claims and potential dissatisfaction among claimants.
There is an outstanding issue to be resolved for members who have a McCloud entitlement following their Matthews election. Members were advised of a technical issue concerning lump sum payments under the Matthews remedy: arrears of pension must be received before a lump sum can be paid, as individuals are not deemed eligible for the lump sum until the arrears are cleared. While legislation stipulates that arrears must be paid within three months of the invoice date, the invoices currently state a 28-day payment period. Members were advised that individuals experiencing difficulty meeting this deadline should contact the HIWFRS HR team, who could review such cases individually.
It was agreed that Board Members Rob Sansome and Sean Harrison would assist in reviewing these cases. All cases will be anonymised prior to review. In response to a query from the Vice Chairman regarding whether individuals who take out loans to pay arrears would be eligible for compensation, it was noted that the specific criteria remain unclear. However, all individuals with outstanding invoices will be contacted to determine whether their cases require review.
Cllr Price raised a question regarding the implications of HIWFRA deducting arrears and proceeding with payments. It was confirmed that such action would constitute a breach of Pension Regulations, though the consequences of such a breach are currently unknown. The Deputy Chief Financial Officer committed to investigating the potential risks and reporting back. Members also noted that a formal response to the recent consultation on Firefighters’ Pension Scheme rates has not yet been received, despite the implementation date approaching. The associated risk has been updated on the register, as it is considered unfeasible to implement significant changes to pension scheme rates by October without further guidance. An update will be provided at the next meeting.
Members were informed that the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme Discretions Policy, including its format and discretions, is governed by legislation and outlines the decision-making framework. Proposed changes to delegations, detailed in the appendix, will be presented at a future Fire Authority meeting. It was noted that sections of this policy will cease to apply once all members of the 1992 and 2006 schemes have retired.
Additionally, Members were briefed on a proposal from the LGA to assume the role of Scheme Manager for all Firefighters’ Pension Schemes. HIWFRA has submitted a response suggesting that it would be appropriate also fully consider alternative options. Concerns were raised regarding how the Board would continue to receive updates under such an arrangement — specifically, whether the LGA would attend meetings, make interim decisions, or await formal guidance. As the legal responsibility for pensions would remain with the Fire Authority, implementation of this proposal could prove challenging.
Cllr Price, drawing on his experience with the LGA, noted that current implementation practices vary significantly between Scheme Managers. While minor inconsistencies can be beneficial by allowing for local risk assessment, major discrepancies pose a concern. Members agreed that a balanced approach is necessary. Finally, it was agreed that the risk register would be updated to include a placeholder for Local Government Reorganisation, as the future of HIWFRA within this context remains uncertain.
RESOLVED
·???????? The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Firefighters’ Pension Board noted the content of the report.
·???????? The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Firefighters’ Pension Board noted the content of the risk register at Appendix 1.
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