The Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Fire and Rescue Service Local Pension Board is scheduled to convene on Tuesday, 5th May 2026. The meeting's agenda includes a comprehensive business update, which will cover a range of significant topics related to the administration and management of firefighters' pension schemes.

Business Update

The primary focus of the meeting is a detailed business update, which will encompass several key areas. This update is intended to keep the Board members informed about ongoing and future business issues affecting the administration of the Firefighters' Pension Schemes.

The report pack indicates that the business update will cover:

• Membership Movements: An overview of changes in the number of active, deferred, and pensioner members within the Cornwall Firefighters Pension Scheme and the Isles of Scilly Firefighters Pension Scheme as of 31st March 2026. This includes statistics for the 1992, 2006, and 2015 Firefighters Pension Schemes.
• LGA FPS Bulletins: A review of bulletins issued by the Local Government Association (LGA) Firefighters' Pension Scheme (FPS) in January, February, and March 2026. These bulletins provide updates on regulatory changes, guidance, and administrative requirements. Actions arising from these bulletins for scheme managers and administrators are scheduled for discussion.
• Firefighters' Pension Schemes Risk Register: An update on the comprehensive risk register for the Firefighters' Pension Schemes. The report notes that no new risks have been added since the last meeting, but additional information has been provided for Risk 14 and Risk 16, relating to the monthly collection of active membership data. Risk 23, concerning the Pensions Dashboard Programme, has been removed following successful connection by the statutory deadline.
• Firefighters' Pension Schemes Breaches Log: A review of the log of breaches of regulations related to the management and administration of the Firefighters' Pension Schemes. A significant breach has been identified concerning the late production and distribution of Annual Benefit Statements (ABS) for the 2025 scheme year, which were due by 31st August. These ABSs for members affected by the Age Discrimination Remedy must also include additional information known as Remedy Service Statements (RSS). The breach has been reported to the Pensions Regulator.
• Firefighters' Pension Schemes Complaints Log: An update on any complaints received from firefighter pension scheme members. A recent complaint from an ex-retained firefighter eligible for the Matthews Second Options exercise relates to delays in receiving their initial offer package due to ongoing regulation changes and the need for an updated calculator.
• Internal Disputes Resolution Procedure (IDRP) Update: Information on any ongoing appeals being processed through the IDRP. One new appeal under stage 2 has been received concerning the application of remedy under Secondary Contract provisions, and another stage 2 appeal also relates to Secondary Contract provisions.
• CFRS Finance Update: A financial update from Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS), including details on Age Discrimination Remedy Pensions Compensation Payments, Home Office pensions account forecasting, and the Home Office annual return.
• Age Discrimination Remedy (McCloud/Sargeant): An update on the ongoing work to address age discrimination in firefighters' pension schemes, stemming from the Sargeant and McCloud court judgments. This includes details on prospective and retrospective discrimination remedies, and the requirement for members to receive combined Annual Benefit Statement/Remediable Service Statements (ABS/RSS).
• Matthews Second Options Exercise: An update on the exercise allowing eligible retained firefighters the opportunity to purchase pension entitlement as a special member of the Firefighters' Pension Scheme 2006. The report highlights progress made in March 2026, including the posting of election forms and the finalisation of GAD calculations. It also notes an expected extension to the exercise deadline to 31st March 2027, with a new GAD calculator anticipated by the end of June 2026.
• Secondary Contracts: An issue identified with the administration of contracts for some wholetime firefighters who have undertaken on-call duties under a secondary contract. This involves a challenge to the treatment of these as two separate contracts, potentially requiring rectification of payroll and pension records. Work is underway to ensure fair and equitable treatment for all affected firefighters.

The meeting will also include a review of the Risk Register and the Breaches Register, providing an overview of potential risks and any identified breaches in the administration of the pension schemes. The Firefighters' Pension Schemes Complaint Log and an update on Internal Disputes Resolution Procedure (IDRP) appeals will also be presented. A CFRS Finance update will provide financial information relevant to the schemes.

The agenda also lists Apologies for Absence and Declarations of Interest, and the Minutes of the Meeting held on 27 January are scheduled for confirmation. The meeting will conclude with consideration of Any Other Business that the Chairman Considers to be of Urgency.