The Staff and Pensions Committee of Warwickshire Council met on Monday 8 June 2026 to discuss the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) governance, pension administration, and amendments to the Firefighters' Pension Scheme. Key decisions included the renaming of the Pension Fund Investment Sub-Committee to the LGPS Pension Fund Sub-Committee and the delegation of LGPS functions to it, alongside approving amendments to the Firefighters' Pension Scheme member contribution structure.

LGPS Governance Action Plan

The committee received an update on the LGPS Governance Action Plan, noting significant progress in addressing actions related to the fund's governance arrangements. Chris Norton, Head of Investments, Audit and Risk, presented the report, highlighting that 40 out of 93 original actions were completed, with a further 39 in progress. The Pension Schemes Act 2026 has introduced new requirements, with 4 out of 19 additional actions now completed. Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) is also a significant factor, with workstreams being established to ensure the pension fund can continue to deliver services post-reorganisation. The committee noted that additional capacity in project management and governance support might be commissioned due to the significant workload.

Terms of Reference for a Single LGPS Pension Fund Sub-Committee

A significant decision was made to rename the Pension Fund Investment Sub-Committee to the LGPS Pension Fund Sub-Committee and delegate all functions relating to local government pensions from the Staff and Pensions Committee to this new sub-committee. This move aims to create a dedicated committee for the Warwickshire LGPS Pension Fund, enhancing focus and meeting government expectations for good governance. The committee also noted and commented on the proposed changes to the Terms of Reference for both the Staff and Pensions Committee and the new LGPS Pension Fund Sub-Committee, recommending them for approval by the Council. Additionally, a Recruitment and Retention Policy for employer and member representatives was noted and commented upon. Councillor Sarah Feeney, Leader of the Labour Group, expressed concerns about the timing of these changes, likening it to rearranging deck chairs given the impending Local Government Reorganisation. However, Chris Norton explained that the staged approach was pragmatic, allowing for faster implementation of benefits and demonstrating a commitment to good governance ahead of the triennial review. The committee also discussed the inclusion of employer and member representatives on the sub-committee, who would serve in a non-voting capacity.

Pension Administration Activity and Performance Update

Lisa Eglesfield, Pensions Administration Service Manager, presented an update on the administration activity and performance. The Engage self-service portal continues to see increasing member engagement, with plans to expand its functionality to include frozen refund members and council members. Key performance indicators (KPIs) for the last financial year showed that 12 out of 16 KPIs met the 95% target, with two others above 90%. Staff changes and an increase in workload, partly due to the Engage system, have impacted some KPIs, particularly B4 and B15, which are now a key focus for improvement. The report detailed an increase in cases handled, retirements, and general enquiries. Breaches within the fund were also discussed, with one red breach identified in January relating to pension overpayments, which has been reported to The Pensions Regulator. The fund is working with affected individuals to recoup overpaid pensions. The report also covered progress on the Pensions Dashboard Programme, with a focus on data quality, and the completion of the annual pension increase project. Significant regulatory changes, including Access and Fairness and Access and Protection, are being implemented, with a need for rectification work on survivor benefits and death grants. A temporary 12-month Pension Officer position has been created to assist with this. Councillor Cassafini raised concerns about the number of younger members not registered for the online portal, and Councillor Feeney questioned the performance of KPIs B4 and B15, as well as the recoverability of pension overpayments. Lisa Eglesfield confirmed that overpayments are generally recoverable, with efforts made to recoup funds while considering members' financial circumstances.

Amendments to The Firefighters' Pension Scheme (England) Regulations – Member Contribution Structure

The committee approved amendments to the Firefighters' Pension Scheme (England) Regulations 2015, introducing a new five-tier member contribution structure. This change, effective from 1 April 2026, bases contribution bands on actual pensionable pay, addressing inequities for part-time and variable-hours firefighters. The new structure includes an annual indexation mechanism linked to CPI. Councillor Chris Kettle questioned the lack of individual member choice regarding contribution increases, but it was explained that this is a national change and membership of the scheme requires adherence to the applicable contribution rate. The Warwickshire County Council Policy, based on the Local Government Association model framework, was adopted.

Review of the Minutes of the Fire Local Pension Board

The committee reviewed the minutes of the Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Local Pension Board meeting held on 9 February 2026. Key points included progress on the General Code of Practice review, with 63 actions identified and a target completion date of 31 August 2026. Updates were provided on the Age Discrimination Remedy (McCloud ) and the Second Modified Retained Exercise (Matthews ), with West Yorkshire Pension Fund (WYPF) continuing to process these. The minutes also highlighted the upcoming implementation of the new five-tier contribution structure for the Firefighters' Pension Scheme.

Employers Joining and Leaving the Pension Scheme

The committee noted the standard report on employers joining and leaving the pension fund. For the current quarter, there were no new academies or ceasing employers. Two new admission bodies, which are services within schools, were noted. Several admission agreements are in progress. Councillor Robert Gisbourne, Portfolio Holder for Fire & Rescue, Community Safety and Flooding, inquired about the drivers of employer movement, and it was explained that academies are the primary driver, with a general trend of scheme expansion. The committee delegated authority to the Executive Director for Resources to approve applications from employers listed in Appendix 1, provided they meet the Local Government Pension Scheme Regulations 2013.