| 23 | The Committee considered a request from a former Council employee for immediate payment of pension on compassionate grounds. The report set out background, the application, factors for consideration, resource and legal implications and conclusions. Annexed to the report were written representations from the applicant, including information on income and expenditure. An additional submission, received after the committee papers were dispatched, was circulated at the meeting.
The Head of Personnel and Support Services confirmed that the Council had the discretion to allow an individual to receive pension payments before the age of 60 on compassionate grounds. Requests on compassionate grounds were unusual, and due to the varied nature of requests, each case needed to be considered on its merits. Annex 4 of the report set out criteria for consideration, based on guidance provided by Surrey County Council.
The Committee were informed that the applicant had worked for the Council for slightly less than 4 years. The total pensionable service included 6 years with the Civil Service which had been transferred into the Local Government Pension Scheme.
The Committee carefully considered the report and information supplied by the applicant. It was noted that the applicant had chosen to leave the Council's employment as a result of a move away from the area. It was also noted that after leaving the Council's employment the applicant had worked for a national bank.
The Committee were informed that financial hardship was not considered a reasonable case for early pension on compassionate grounds.
As a result, it was felt that the evidence submitted provided no case for early pension on compassionate grounds. |