THURROCK’S Labour Party rep on Essex Fire Authority is demanding answers after being told of the authority’s £15 million pension blunder.
Cllr Cathy Kent said: "I am very concerned that an error of this magnitude wasn’t noticed or picked up through the audit process that takes place every year – this dates back to 2006!"
She said: "I realise the changes in pension arrangements introduced that year were complicated, but it seems some other authorities got it right first time whilst others identified this issue as far back as 2010.
"Essex Fire Authority needs to tell us why it didn’t find this problem and why it didn’t learn from those that did."
Cllr Kent explained the error stems from changes in the accounting arrangements for injured firefighters’ pensions. Although new pensions have beed properly dealt with the authority has apparently underpaid contributions due to the government by "a staggering £1.8 million a year, or £15 million overall".
She said: "I’m pleased the authority has set up an inquiry to identify how this happened – they could do no less.
"But I believe the people of Essex need and deserve to know the answers – the results must be made public and presented to the full membership of the authority not just a committee.
"I am also concerned about how this £15 million is to be paid back to a government which must also bear some responsibility for not noticing. Now the Essex Fire Authority is planning to pay it back in one go – how’s that going to happen when they’re already making cuts to our services?
"I will be demanding assurances from senior members of the authority that this will not lead to more cuts to front line services."
