Agenda item

The Chair introduced Malcolm Eastwood, Chair of the Pension Scheme Advisory Board, who updated the Fire Commission on the Board’s work to date.

The Board is behind on its programme of work but making good progress. The Chair has been travelling the country to meet groups and is keen to avoid duplicating work where possible. The Board has submitted its budget to the Secretary of State for approval and is trying to improve the schemes administration.

Clair Alcock, Fire Pensions Advisor, updated the Commission on the Home Office consultation on proposed amendments to survivor benefits in the 1992 scheme and minor amendments to the 2014 scheme. She also updated the Commission on draft regulations expected in the summer on providing a contributions holiday to members of the 1992 scheme under 50 with 30 years’ service.

Gill Gittins, Principal Negotiating Officer, refreshed the Commission on the economies of scale the National Employers and the National Joint Council have delivered across a range of issues including collective bargaining, one example of which was negotiating flexibility so that local FRSs can match resources and shift patterns to risk.  She informed the Commission that the NJC-led Inclusive Fire Service Group, which included involvement from CFOA, RFU and FOA, was working well.  It had undertaken a detailed piece of research to inform its development of improvement strategies for use at local level on matters such as under-represented groups (recruitment, retention, promotion), bullying and cultural issues.  An interim report should be released shortly. The Fitness Best Practice guide which had its roots in assisting the parties to the pensions dispute was completed and issued in March this year and is available to members. The NJC is also working with the FBU and LGA on apprenticeship matters in light of the apprenticeship levy. In addition, through the auspices of the NJC, work has taken place which has resulted in an excellent take up rate within FRSs of an apprenticeship in Fitness and Exercise. 

Decision

The Fire Commission noted the Workforce report.