4.5–INTERNAL RESOLUTION DISPUTE PROCEDURE

The Local Government Pension Scheme has an Internal Dispute Resolution Procedure (IDRP) which consists of two stages.

Stage 1

When a member submits an IDRP Stage 1 it is dealt with as follows:

  • If the dispute concerns a decision made by the employer then the person appointed by the employer will determine Stage 1.
  • If the dispute concerns a decision made by the Administering Authority then Stage 1 will be determined by the Principal Pension Manager at Devon Pension Services.

Stage 2

If the member is not satisfied with the decision made at Stage 1 above, they can take their complaint to Stage 2 which is dealt with by the Director of Finance, IT and Trading and the CountySolicitor of Devon County Council as the Administering Authority.

Please take time to read the IDRP guide which explains how the process works with timescales and specimen letters. Don't forget when making a determination at Stage 1 that you must inform the appellant of their right to the Stage 2 appeal.

A member can obtain a copy of the IDRP form from Devon Pension Services and I suggest in the first instance that all forms are returned to Devon Pension Services who will assess where the determination should be made, the employer or Devon Pension Services.Please ensure Devon Pension Services are sent copies of any determinations made at Stage 1.

All employers need to complete the relevant form giving details of who in your organisation will be appointed as your Stage 1 IDRP appeal officer, this is so any appeal application form can be forwarded to the correct person.

New Overriding Legislation

In March 2008 two Statutory Instruments were promulgated in respect of a resolution of disputes from 6th April 2008. The majority of the legislation is already incorporated in our IDRP, however there is one item that it is advised we should apply with immediate effect:

the member or beneficiary must be informed, as soon as possible after raising a complaint under IDRP, that the Pensions Advisory Service (TPAS) is available to assist them in connection with any difficulty with the scheme, and must be given the contact details for TPAS. Schemes can no longer wait until a decision has been taken under IDRP before informing the member or beneficiary about TPAS;

The TPAS address is:

11 Belgrave Road

London

SW1V 1RB

It is therefore advised that on receipt of a Stage 1 IDRP that it is acknowledged in writing to the appellant and TPAS information as mentioned above is included in the letter.

4.5 - Internal Resolution Dispute Procedure (July 2008)

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