§ Mr. Dan Jonesasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many officials of local authorities are at present seeking premature retirement under the Local Authorities Act 1973.
§ Mr. OakesUnder the Local Government (Retirement of Chief Officers) Regulations 1973, made under Section 260 of the Local Government Act 1972, an official had to make his election to retire before 28th February 1974. The date of such retirement was normally 31st March 1974, but the regulations enabled an employing authority to agree to an earlier date.
§ Mr. Dan Jonesasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many officials of local authorities applied for and obtained premature retirement under the Local Authorities Act 1973; and what is the estimated cost of the severance arrangements.
§ Mr. OakesI understand that some 2,900 officials of local authorities exercised the option to retire prematurely under the Local Government (Retirement 241W of Chief Officers) Regulations 1973 with immediate payment of superannuation benefits. The arrangements included the enhancement of the person's accrued superannuation benefits as if pensionable service had continued until the compulsory retiring age. To provide an estimate of the annual cost of this enhancement would involve obtaining the personal pension details of those concerned.