LGA Governance


Agenda item

Agenda item

Exit Payments Cap

Minutes:

Naomi Cooke, Head of Workforce, and Jeff Houston, Head of Pensions, introduced item four. 

 

Naomi’s and Jeff’s presentation included specific details on the cap; how the cap would be applied in local government; details around relaxing the cap; decision making responsibilities; implications for the Local Government Pensions Scheme (including corrections that are needed to draft regulations); and next steps and timescales. Naomi concluded that:

 

-       Officers expect the LGA’s Leadership Board will want to discuss this item, and the discussions from Resources Board members obtained will act as a briefing for this future discussion.

-                   For members to endorse this approach to the consultation.

 

The Chair stated that the government is looking to – understandably – stop very high-payments or payoffs to certain individuals, however, they have adopted a one size fits-all approach.  Members then discussed the following:

 

-      Members raised concerns regarding long-serving local government employees that are possibly on a low wage that may hit this cap.  Members agreed that this is not fair to these individuals.  

-                   Members agreed that is vital for a robust response.

-      Members discussed the three different courts that have a potential to impact the cap. 

-      Members discussed the discrimination factor of the cap; figures show the chances obtaining employment after redundancy at a certain age goes down.

 

Action

 

Members agreed the response consultation.

Supporting documents: