Firefighters' pensions board

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Authority Local Pensions Board was set up under the Public Services Pensions Act of 2013, to assist the scheme manager in complying with the regulations and governance of the Firefighters' Pensions Schemes.

The tables below show the functions relating to the Firefighters' Pensions Schemes and who is responsible for exercising those functions.

Functions and responsibilities at the national level
Function	Responsible body
Provision of advice to the responsible authority, scheme manager, and Local Pension Board	The Firefighters’ Pension Scheme Advisory Board
Regulation of all work-based pensions	The Pensions Regulator

Functions and responsibilities at the local level
Function	Responsible body
Scheme Manager for Firefighters’ Pensions Scheme	Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Authority
Provision of advice and support to the Scheme Manager	Local Pensions Board
Exercise of Discretion under the Schemes	The full Authority, the Human Resources Management and Development Committee or the Chief Fire Officer depending on the actual discretion
Principal Accountable Officer	Head of Human Resources
Day-to-day Management and Administration of the Schemes	West Yorkshire Pensions Fund

Roles and responsibilities

Scheme Manager (the Authority – delegated to Head of HR)

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Role

Overall responsibility for the scheme. The Scheme Manager may delegate specific activities or functions to other parties, such as administrators. However, it remains accountable for complying with the law and the overall management and administration of the scheme.

Responsibilities

Ensure compliance with scheme regulations and other legislation.
Manage risks and ensure there are adequate internal controls.
Ensure that pension board members don’t have conflicts of interest.
Put in place effective dispute resolution procedures.
Keep records and ensure the quality of member data.
Communicate information to members including benefit statements.
Publish information on the Local Pension Board.
Meet employer duties related to automatic enrolment.
Pay contributions in line with requirements in scheme regulations.
Report late payment of contributions.
Keep and provide data to the administrator.
Meet the Pensions Regulator’s reporting requirements, for example completing scheme returns.
Report breaches to the Pensions Regulator where required.

Administrator

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Role

Carry out day-to-day functions of running the scheme for the Scheme Manager.

Responsibilities

Keep records.
Collect contributions.
Pay net benefits to members.
Calculate deductions as appropriate and report these to HMRC.
Report breaches to the Pensions Regulator where required.

Local pension board

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Role

To assist the Scheme Manager.

Responsibilities

To help the Scheme Manager to comply with Scheme regulations, any other legislation relating to the governance and administration of the Scheme, and requirements imposed by the Pensions Regulator in relation to the Scheme.
To help the Scheme Manager ensure the effective and efficient governance and administration of the Scheme.
To report breaches of the law to the Pensions Regulator.
To provide assurance to the Scheme Manager on pensions administration, including monitoring of KPIs.
To ensure that Board members have requisite knowledge and understanding of scheme rules; documents setting out scheme administration; policies; and pension law.
To produce an Annual Report for the Authority.

Local pension board chair

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Role

To plan each meeting effectively and to conduct them according to the constitution; ensuring that matters are dealt with in an orderly and efficient manner; and that there is full participation during meetings.

Responsibilities

To ensure that all Board members show due respect for the process, that all views are heard and considered and that decisions on recommendations are democratically made where consensus cannot be reached.
To uphold and promote the purpose of the Board and to interpret its Terms of Reference when necessary.
To ensure that Board members have the knowledge and skills to undertake the role, and maintain a training record.
To ensure that Board members record conflicts of interest.
To arrange professional advice for the Board as required, subject to agreement by the Clerk to the Authority.
To agree on the agenda and approve the minutes for Board meetings.
To write reports as required by the Authority on the work of the Board.
To annually review the performance of the Board and complete an Annual Report for the Authority.
The decision of the Chair on all points of procedure, order and the Terms of Reference shall be final.

Local pension board members

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Role

At all times act in a reasonable manner in the conduct of the Board’s purpose.

Responsibilities

Act always in the interests of the scheme and not seek to promote the interests of any stakeholder group above another.
Demonstrate standards of conduct based on the seven “Nolan” Principles of Public Life, modified accordingly and as appended to this document.
Demonstrate capacity to attend (and complete the necessary preparation for) Board meetings.
Commit to developing the requisite knowledge and understanding of scheme rules; documents setting out scheme administration; policies; and pension law and participate in training as required.
To declare potential conflicts of interest.

Local pensions board

The Local Pensions Board must have an equal number of employer and member representatives. Our Local Pensions Board has eight members and meets four times a year.

Employer representatives are appointed directly by the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Authority (as Scheme Manager). The Authority has determined that, for member representatives, a selection process should be undertaken and the responsibility for undertaking this has been delegated to the Head of Human Resources.

Meetings

Read the agenda and supporting papers for meetings from January 2019 onwards.

Terms of Reference

Local Pension Board Terms of Reference

Terms of Reference (open document format)

Download

Local Pensions Board Terms of Reference

Terms of Reference (PDF)

Download

Firefighters Pension Scheme Administration Management and Governance Strategy Policy.pdf

Download

Our employer representatives

Maria PhillipsAssistant Director of Finance and Corporate Services
mphillips@dsfire.gov.uk

Andrew Furbear
Treasurer
Head of Finance
afurbear@dsfire.gov.uk

Councillor Simon Coles
Fire Authority Member
simon.coles@somerset.gov.uk

Satnam Singh Rai
Independent Co-opted Member

Our member representatives

James Leslie
Firefighter

Philip Gillbard
On-call Watch Manager

Ben Redwood
Firefighter

Greg Webb
Firefighter

Officer delegated to act as Scheme Manager

Mareena Anderson-Thorne
Culture and Service Transformation Manager
pensions@dsfire.gov.uk

Board member training

Board members are invited to attend Local Government Association conferences and seminars relating to Firefighters' Pension Schemes and Administration. In addition to this, board members complete the training modules on The Pensions Regulator website.