Agenda and draft minutes

County Councillor N Alderson (Apologies)

Councillor J Hugo (Apologies)

Councillor Z Khan

County Councillor M Ritson

County Councillor J Tetlow (Apologies)

Members are asked to consider any pecuniary and non-pecuniary interests they may have to disclose to the meeting in relation to matters under consideration on the agenda.

County Councillor I Duxbury declared a non-pecuniary interest as the Chair of Lancashire County Councils Pension Shareholder Governance Committee, County Councillor G Mirfin declared a non -pecuniary interest as a member of the same committee.

County Councillor G Mirfin asked if future pressures need to be reviewed given rising interest and inflation levels and rising energy costs, the Chair confirmed that this would be covered within the next item, Financial Monitoring.

The Chair moved the minutes as a correct record which was seconded by County Councillor I Duxbury, with all members voting in favour.

Resolved: That the Minutes of the last meeting held on 29 June 2026 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

The Director of Corporate Services (DoCS) advised that this report set out the current budget position in respect of the 2026-27 revenue and capital budgets.

Revenue Budget

Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service’s 2026-27 revenue budget was set at £80.525 million. The budget profiled to the end of July 2025 was £25.616 million against a profiled budget of £26.070 million, giving a year-to-date underspend of £0.454 million. The forecast outturn was an underspend of £0.524 million, which was just less than 1% of the net budget. This was a controlled position, and the main variances were set out in Appendix 1 with the major variances of note shown separately in table 1.

Table 1 – major variances of note

Future Developments

The previous financial monitoring report included a detailed assessment of potential inflationary pressures arising from geopolitical uncertainty. Pay awards were the most significant risk at that stage. The 2026-27 budget and Medium-Term Financial Strategy included prudent allowances for pay and price inflation, including 4% for pay in 2026-27 and 3.8% general inflation in 2026-27, reducing to 2% thereafter. Since the June Resources Committee meeting, both the 2026 Grey Book and Green Book pay awards had been agreed within the approved budget position. This had significantly reduced the year pay-related inflation risk in 2026-27.

Wider geopolitical uncertainty did however continue and remained a risk to inflation, particularly in relation to energy costs, fuel, contract indexation and supply-chain dependent goods and services. However, the position had not materially deteriorated since the June report and there was no specific budget adjustment proposed at this stage. Utility costs continued to be monitored closely against the planning assumptions, and the Authority retained its £0.600 million utility volatility reserve to help manage short-term movements above budget if required.

Table 2 summarises the main inflation assumptions included in the 2026-27 budget and the latest position reflected in this monitoring  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16-26/27

The Monitoring Officer presented the report.

A meeting of the Resources Committee on 1 April 2008 set up a Special Sub-Committee with delegated powers to “act, to consider and determine individual cases of dispute over injury pensions.” The content of the paper makes it clear that this was in response to a particular issue that had arisen relating to over and under payment of injury pensions. This is no longer a current issue.

So far as could be determined, this sub-committee met only a few times and last met on 11 February 2009. At a meeting of the Resources Committee on 27 November 2024, the Sub- Committee was renamed as the Pensions Sub-Committee. This was to allow the Sub-Committee to cover a wider remit, but it is not set out what this wider remit was. There is no record of this re-named sub-committee ever sitting.

Currently, a report on pensions matters goes to the Resources Committee. Pensions appeal (Internal Dispute Resolution Procedure (IDRP) – Stage 2) cases also used to go to the Resources Committee but following the adoption of the new constitution on 21 September 2026, IDRP 2 appeals would now be heard by the Appeals Committee. Two members of the Authority also sat on the Local Pensions Board which dealt with matters relating to firefighters’ pensions.

It seemed that the original purpose for the sub-committee no longer existed and there was no identifiable work that it could consider as all pensions matters were dealt with either by the Resources or the Appeals Committee. This meeting was therefore asked to resolve that the Pensions Sub-Committee was dissolved.

The report was moved by the Chair and seconded by County Councillor I Duxbury, with all members voting in favour.

Resolved:  That the Committee approved the dissolution of the Pensions Sub-Committee.

The Director of People and Development (DoPD) presented the report. The Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Culture Annual Report 2025 – 2026 and Delivery Plan 2026 – 2027 offered a comprehensive overview of Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service’s (LFRS) ongoing commitment to fostering equality, diversity, and inclusion across its operations. Shaped by statutory obligations including the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004 and the Public Sector Equality Duty under the Equality Act 2010, LFRS’s approach was further informed by inspections from His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS).

This report demonstrated how LFRS was managing risks to its workforce and the communities it serves, advancing equality of opportunity, and promoting good relations among all groups. It detailed performance in fulfilling legal duties, outlined strategic delivery plans, and identified key areas of focus such as accessibility, recruitment, training, and community engagement. The report also highlighted the Service’s method for evidencing compliance and transparency in meeting its public sector equality obligations.

Key areas covered within the report included;

Accessibility

During the year, the Communications team strengthened the organisation’s approach to accessibility, helping to ensure that information was easier for everyone to access, understand and use.

A more structured and strategic approach was developed, including the commissioning of external accessibility support and regular engagement with a specialist provider. An external accessibility audit on the website and debrief provided a clear assessment of current performance, identified areas for improvement, and established a baseline to inform future activity.

To build internal capability, a programme of accessibility training was delivered for staff. This included introductory and more advanced sessions on accessible document creation, complex documents and accessible data presentation. Colleagues from a range of teams took part, with the training focused on practical steps staff can apply in their day-to-day work to create content that meets accessibility standards and is easier to navigate.

Internal guidance was also promoted and embedded to support consistent practice across the Service. The accessibility guide continued to provide staff with clear advice on document formatting, plain language, use of images, alternative text and digital content. This helped establish a shared reference point for producing accessible and inclusive communications.

There was evidence that accessibility practices were becoming more embedded at a local level, with staff increasingly using built-in Microsoft accessibility tools to identify and address issues such as missing alternative text and document formatting errors. This reflected a positive shift towards considering accessibility as part of everyday communication and content creation, supported by initiatives such as Digital Champions and wider internal engagement.

This work supported the Service’s wider equality, diversity and inclusion objectives by helping to remove barriers and improve access to information for staff, communities and stakeholders. It also linked with broader inclusion activity, including support for neurodiversity.

Engagement and Consultation

The Service had a consultation strategy, providing a framework for understanding public opinion on significant policy changes. This strategy was reviewed in February 2026 to ensure compliance with relevant legislation and guidance, as well as to incorporate  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18-26/27

The HR Manager Pay, Pensions and Performance presented the report to members.

Internal Disputes Resolution Procedure – Stage 2 (IDRP)

A number of existing disputes concerning the pensionability of allowances had completed the Authority’s two-stage Internal Dispute Resolution Procedure, with some matters subsequently referred to The Pensions Ombudsman. The Authority had supplied the information requested in relation to those referrals and no formal determinations had been received.

No new IDRP applications or referrals to The Pensions Ombudsman were reported to the Local Pension Board on 14 September 2026.

Annual Benefit Statements

The statutory deadline for issuing 2026 Annual Benefit Statements (ABSs) was 31 August 2026. The Local Pensions Partnership Administration (LPPA) produced 1,757 statements for 1,844 eligible members, representing overall completion of 95.3%. Completion rates were 95.3% for active members, 95.4% for deferred members and 88.2% for other eligible members.

Of 483 members eligible for a McCloud Annual Benefit Statement Remediable Service Statement, 438 statements were issued. 259 of 292 active-member statements and 179 of 191 deferred-member statements. 45 remaining cases failed to be issued by the deadline. This was due to outstanding technical and data issues, including instances where additional information was required, which prevented full completion of the ABS. LPPA would continue to progress them when the necessary information became available.

The Scheme Manager considered that this was a material breach and in accordance with The Pension Regulator’s (TPR) guidance had reported the breach to the TPR along with an action plan.

Age Discrimination Remedy (McCloud/Sargeant)

In 2015, the Government introduced reforms to public service pension schemes, including the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme 2015 (FPS 2015). Transitional protections were applied so that some members of the legacy schemes (FPS 1992 and FPS 2006) remained in those schemes for longer, or did not move to FPS 2015 at all, depending on their age. Following the legal challenge known as McCloud/Sargeant, these transitional protections were found to be unlawfully age discriminatory.

From 1 April 2022, all serving members were moved to FPS 2015. The current phase of work was the implementation of the retrospective remedy for the period 1 April 2015 to 31 March 2022. This required eligible members to be given a choice between legacy scheme benefits and reformed scheme benefits for the remedy period.

Those members who were subject to the McCloud Remedy, who retired prior to 1 October 2023, were referred to as Immediate Choice members and were able to make a choice in relation to which pension scheme they wished to be in during the remedy period. In order to make this decision, they must be issued with a Remediable Service Statement (RSS). The Immediate Choice cohort comprised 367 members requiring an ABS RSS. By 31 August 2026, 319 statements had been issued, and 48 cases remained outstanding, comprising three tapered or unprotected cases, 33 protected-member cases and 12 beneficiary cases. Twenty-nine of the protected-member cases were linked to the Matthews remedy and could not be completed until that work was resolved. All outstanding cases involved individual  ...  view the full minutes text for item 19-26/27

The next scheduled meeting of the Committee has been agreed for 10:00 hours on Wednesday 25 November 2026 in the Main Conference Room, at Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service Headquarters, Fulwood.

Further meetings are:        scheduled for Tuesday 16 March 2027

                                        proposed for Wednesday 23 June 2027 

The next meeting of the Committee would be held on Wednesday 25 November 2026 at 1000 hours in the Main Conference Room at Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service Headquarters, Fulwood.

Further meeting dates were noted for 16 March 2027 and 23 June 2027.

The Committee is asked to resolve whether, under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, they consider that the public should be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items of business on the grounds that there would be a likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the appropriate paragraph of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, indicated under the heading to the item.

The resolution was moved by the Chair and seconded by County Councillor G Mirfin.

Resolved: That the press and members of the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items of business on the grounds that there would be a likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the appropriate paragraph of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, indicated under the heading to the item.

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Members were provided with an update from the Capital Building Projects Working Group.

The report was moved by the Chair and seconded by County Councillor I Duxbury.

Resolved: That the report be noted.

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Members considered a report that provided an update on high-value procurement projects at the pre-tender and tender stages, and on contracts awarded since the previous report in June 2026.

The report was moved by the Chair and seconded by Councillor S Sidat.

Resolved:  That the Committee noted the procurement activity set out in the report.

Glossary

ABS – Annua Benefit Statement

CAD – Computer Aided Design

CFA – Combined Fire Authority

DoCS – Director of Corporate Services

DoPD – Director of People and Development

EDIC – Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Culture

FBU – Fire Brigades Union

FPS – Firefighters Pension Scheme

GAD – Government Actuary’s Department

HMICFRS – His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services

IDRP – Internal Dispute Resolution Procedure

LFRS – Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service

LPPA – Local Pensions Partnership Administration

NFCC – National Fire Chiefs Council

NWAS – North West Fire Control

PPE – Personal Protective Equipment

RSS – Remedial Service Statement

TPR – The Pension Regulator

UPS – Uninterrupted Power Supply