Contact: Jon Pittam, ext 7400

1 Summary

1.1 This report updates the Panel on developments since last October's meeting.

1 Background

1.1 The Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions (DTLR) issued a Consultation Paper entitled "Pensions for elected members of local authorities in England" on 12 September 2001 and asked for comments by 26 October 2001. Initial responses were sent to DTLR on 10 and 17 October 2001 (Appendix A and B).

1.2 The County Council's response to these proposals was approved by the Standards Committee on 29 October 2001 and by the Pension Fund Panel on 30 October 2001. A further response was sent to DTLR on 12 November 2001 (Appendix C) and copied to the Local Government Association (LGA).

1.3 The LGA's own response to DTLR reiterated points made by the County Council (Appendix D).

2 Current situation

2.1 DTLR's responsibilities for the Local Government Pension Scheme have recently moved to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minster (ODPM).

2.2 It is understood that legislation to introduce pensions for elected members will not now appear before October 2002. It will be reported to the next meeting of the Panel if available by then.

Recommendation

1 The Panel is asked to note the lack of progress by Government on this issue, although only allowing just over one month's time for consultation with local authorities and pension funds.

Section 100 D - Local Government Act 1972 - background papers

The following documents disclose facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report.

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