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.
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 |
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 |
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 (https://fireauthority.dsfire.gov.uk/ieListMeetings.aspx?CId=177&Year=0) for meetings from January 2019 onwards.
Terms of Reference
Terms of Reference (open document format)
Terms of Reference (PDF)
Our employer representatives
Maria PhillipsAssistant Director of Finance and Corporate Services
mphillips@dsfire.gov.uk (mailto:mphillips@dsfire.gov.uk)
Andrew Furbear
Treasurer
Head of Finance
afurbear@dsfire.gov.uk (mailto:afurbear@dsfire.gov.uk)
Councillor Simon Coles
Fire Authority Member
simon.coles@somerset.gov.uk (mailto: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 (mailto: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.
West Yorkshire Pension Fund
As of 1 April 2018, West Yorkshire Pension Fund (WYPF) is the Scheme administrator and payroll (for those in receipt of a pension) provider. For further information see the West Yorkshire Pension Fund website (https://www.wypf.org.uk/firefighters) or telephone 01392 872332 (tel:01392 872332).
Peninsula Pensions
Peninsula Pensions (https://www.peninsulapensions.org.uk/) will continue to provide pensions administration and payroll for Local Government Pensions Scheme members.
Internal disputes resolution procedures
Guidance on the IDRP is available on the West Yorkshire Pension Fund website (https://www.wypf.org.uk/firefighters/internal-dispute-resolution-procedure/).
The Pensions Advisory Service
120 Holborn
London EC1N 2TD
Pensions Advisory Service website (https://www.pensionsadvisoryservice.org.uk)
The Pensions Ombudsman
10 South Colonnade
Canary Wharf
London E14 4PU
Pensions Ombudsman website (https://www.pensions-ombudsman.org.uk)
Firefighters' Pension Scheme (FPS) - information provided by the Local Government Association
The Local Government Association provides a range of services to support the administration of the various Firefighters' Pension Schemes (FPS). These services include:
- a range of administration resources including fact sheets, guides and training material
- a monthly bulletin highlighting issues affecting the FPS
- an online library of FPS Regulations and Actuarial Guidance
- pension administration and governance training.
This can be accessed by following this link to the Local Government Association website (https://www.local.gov.uk/our-support/workforce-and-hr-support/local-government-pensions/firefighters-pension-scheme).