Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Ross Singleton, Dan Tasker and Mark Hilton.

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.

Members were mindful that where they believed they had a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in any matter considered at the meeting they must declare that interest at the time of the relevant debate and, having regard to the circumstances described in Part 3, Paragraph 1.5 of the County Council's Members' Code of Conduct, leave the meeting while the matter was discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with Paragraph 1.6 of the Code. Furthermore Members were mindful that where they believed they had a Non-Pecuniary interest in a matter being considered at the meeting they considered whether such interest should be declared, and having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 2 of the Code, considered whether it was appropriate to leave the meeting whilst the matter was discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with the Code.

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting

The minutes of the last meeting were reviewed and agreed.

Pursuant to Standing Order 19, to receive any deputations to this meeting

There were no deputations for the meeting.

To receive any announcements the Chairman may wish to make.

The Chairman welcomed the Chairman of the Standards and Governance Committee,Councillor Derek Mellor, who was observing the meeting.

To receive an LGA update from the Chief Financial Officer.

The Board received a report from the Chief Financial Officer (item 6 in the minute book), which provided an update on two bulletins (70 and 71) from the LGA.

Officers presented the report and highlighted key areas, including a national delay to software related to the McCloud pensions remedy. Work that had been done on pensions dashboards was going well and the Fire Authority was in a good place ahead of the deadline of October 2026.

The revaluation adjustment history was explained and it was confirmed that officers awaited further information and guidance, which would be provided at a future meeting when available.

Officers were working on information around pension scams as covered in bulletin 71 and making scheme members aware through the webpages and McCloud communications sent out.

RESOLVED

The content of the report was noted by the HIWFRA Firefighters’ Pension Board.

To receive the status report and risk register review from the Chief Financial Officer.

The Board considered a report from the Chief Financial Officer (item 7 in the minute book), which provided an update on the development of key items.

Members praised the pre-retirement presentation that had taken place.

It was confirmed that two minor amendments had been made to the risk register: the risk of failing to implement the McCloud remedy within the timescales had been reduced and the likelihood of changes to the shared services arrangement impacting on employer pension management had been increased, with the impact reduced due to new mitigations.

Members were pleased to learn that there were no further updates on costs regarding the McCloud Remedy and the project remained within available funding.

RESOLVED

a) The content of the report was noted by the HIWFRA Firefighters’ Pension Board

b) The Risk Register as set out in paragraphs 9-11 and Appendix A was approved by the HIWFRA Firefighters’ Pension Board.

To receive an update on the Pensions Communication Plan.

The Board received a verbal update on Pensions communications and it was confirmed that an update and set of FAQ’s were due to go out around the Matthews/O’Brien case.

To consider a report that provides an overview on succession and board diversity planning.

The Board considered a report from the Chief Fire Officer (item 9 in the minute book) on the safe and successful future management of the Board and membership.

Officers were looking at the Terms of Reference to see whether any updates were necessary and hoped to encourage more diversity in membership of the Board going forward.

An update on progress would come to a future meeting if approved.

RESOLVED

The HIWFRA Firefighters’ Pension Board approved the proposal to bring forward a report setting out a succession plan for review at a future meeting.