Local Government Pension Scheme (PO-9925 and PO-9600)

Ombudsman’s Determination

Outcome

Mr R’s complaint against BCC and WCC is partly upheld, but there is a part of the complaint I do not agree with. To put matters right (for the part that is upheld) BCC shall pay Mr R £1,000 and WCC shall pay Mr R £500 for distress and inconvenience caused.

My reasons for reaching this decision are explained in more detail below.

Complaint summary

Mr R’s complaint against BCC is that he was refused ill health retirement from the date his employment ended and that his subsequent stage 1 appeal, under the Fund’s internal dispute resolution (IDR) procedure, was mishandled and not decided.

Mr R’s complaint against WCC is that it perversely refused his appeal for ill health retirement at IDR stage 2 and took 11 months to issue its decision.