Issue - meetings

6.1       This item was introduced by Ola Owolabi (OO).

6.2       In response to a question by The Chair, JB explained that the internal dispute resolution procedure (IDRP) is most often triggered due to disputes between scheme members and employers about retirement due to ill health – typically over the issue of what tier of payment the scheme member will receive when retiring due to ill health. The judgement about the extent of the scheme member’s ill health is made by a medical professional, but the employer may override this judgement.

6.3       JB said that the legislation governing IDRP states that the employer must nominate someone internally to hear the complaint at the first stage, and the second stage must be heard by someone from the administrating authority. If the dispute is between the administrating authority and a scheme member, then the second stage is escalated to the monitoring officer of the administrating authority. Disputes may then be raised with the ombudsman; however, most disputes are resolved informally.

6.4       The Board RESOLVED to note this report.