Dear Scheme Member,
Thank you to all of you who have made Contingent Decision Applications over the last eight weeks.
We promised that you would receive a decision from the Scheme Manager within two months as part of our agreed process. However, this week we have been informed that the LGA, who provide technical support around the Firefighter Pension Scheme, have withdrawn their Contingent Decision Guidance due to concerns over the accuracy of some elements. They are currently seeking legal opinion to ensure the guidance is robust.
This is unfortunately something outside of our control, and we do not wish to make any Contingent Decisions without appropriate guidance in place. If we did, there is a risk that we would have to reconsider decisions once the guidance is reissued.
Therefore, we will need to pause our decision-making process until the guidance is reissued. In many cases we have already considered the application, so once the LGA guidance is reissued, should be able to provide a response quickly. However, the changes to the guidance may impact on those decisions in which case we will reconsider as required.
To confirm the review of the guidance will not change the qualifying criteria or eligibility.
However, we would still ask scheme members who feel they may be eligible for a Contingent Decision to make their applications, which will still be acknowledged. If it is necessary for us to extend our deadlines to ensure everyone is still able to get a decision, we will do so.
Thank you for your understanding.
Kelly Harding
Head of People