[F197ADesignation of funded public service defined benefits schemesE+W+S
(1)This section applies to funded public service defined benefits schemes other than schemes to which section 97B applies (equivalent provision for certain Scottish schemes).
A scheme to which this section applies is referred to below as an “eligible scheme”.
(2)The relevant person may designate an eligible scheme as a scheme to which regulations under section 97C are to apply for a specified period of no more than 2 years.
(3)The power under subsection (2) may be exercised only if the relevant person considers that—
(a)there is an increased likelihood of payments out of public funds, or increased payments out of public funds, having to be made into the scheme so that it can meet its liabilities, and
(b)the increased likelihood is connected with the exercise or expected future exercise of rights to take a cash equivalent acquired under section 94.
(4)The power under subsection (2) may be exercised in relation to the whole or any part of a scheme.
(5)In the application of subsection (3) to part of a scheme, paragraph (a) is to be read as if it referred to the scheme's liabilities relating to that part.
(6)A designation under subsection (2)—
(a)may be extended (on more than one occasion) for a period of no more than 2 years;
(b)may be revoked.
(7)The relevant person must give notice in writing of a designation or its extension or revocation to the trustees or managers of the scheme (except in a case where the relevant person is the trustees or managers).
(8)If the trustees or managers of an eligible scheme, or part of such a scheme, which is not designated under this section consider that the conditions in paragraphs (a) and (b) of subsection (3) are met in relation to the scheme or part they must notify—
(a)the Treasury, and
(b)(where relevant) each Minister of the Crown by whom, or with whose approval, the scheme was established.
(9)If the trustees or managers of a scheme, or part of a scheme, which is designated under this section consider that the conditions in paragraphs (a) and (b) of subsection (3) are no longer met in relation to the scheme or part they must notify—
(a)the Treasury, and
(b)(where relevant) each Minister of the Crown by whom, or with whose approval, the scheme was established.
(10)In this section—
“eligible scheme” has the meaning given by subsection (1);
“funded public service defined benefits scheme” means a public service pension scheme that—
(a)is a defined benefits scheme within the meaning given by section 37 of the Public Service Pensions Act 2013, and
(b)meets its liabilities out of a fund accumulated for the purpose during the life of the scheme;
“local authority” means—
(a)a county or district council in England,
(b)a county or county borough council in Wales,
(c)a London borough council,
(d)the Greater London Authority,
(e)the Common Council of the City of London in its capacity as a local authority, or
(f)the Council of the Isles of Scilly;
“payment out of public funds” means a payment provided directly or indirectly—
(a)out of—
(i)the Consolidated Fund or any other account or source of money which cannot be drawn or spent other than by, or with the authority of, the Treasury, or
(ii)the Welsh Consolidated Fund, or
(b)by a local authority;
“the relevant person” means—
(a)in relation to a scheme established by virtue of paragraph 12 of Schedule 6 to the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010 (or treated as so established), the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority and the trustees of the Parliamentary Contributory Pension Fund;
(b)in relation to a scheme established by virtue of paragraph 16 of Schedule 6 to the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010 (or treated as so established), the trustees of the Parliamentary Contributory Pension Fund;
(c)in any other case, either of the following—
(i)the Treasury, or
(ii)any Minister of the Crown by whom, or with whose approval, the scheme was established.
(11)The Treasury may by regulations modify the definitions of “local authority” and “the relevant person” in subsection (10).]