Berkshire Pension Fund update

IMPORTANT: Berkshire Pension Fund update

COVID-19 Update

Tuesday, 17 March 2020

The Royal County of Berkshire Pension Fund (“the Pension Fund”) takes the threat posed by COVID-19 (Coronavirus) extremely seriously. The health, safety and well-being of our team members, scheme employers, scheme members and all other parties we are associated with is one of our main priorities.

We, together with the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead, as administering authority to the Pension Fund, have comprehensive Business Continuity Plans in place which include detailed Disaster Recovery processes.  The Pension Fund carried out a successful business continuity test, across all team members, between Thursday, 12 March and Tuesday, 17 March 2020, with the ability for all to work from home.  As such we are well positioned to minimise any disruption on ‘business as usual’ and we can continue to meet our service commitments remotely.

We have provided all team members with guidance, based on current NHS and Government recommendations, and will continue to do so as the situation develops.  This guidance is to make sure they follow the recommended hygiene routines in the workplace and at home.

Any team members displaying symptoms of COVID-19 will be advised to remain at home under self isolation if they meet the Government criteria.

Until further notice we regret the Pension Team will not receive external visitors to our offices to hold ‘face to face’ meetings with any scheme employers, scheme members, and all other parties we are associated with unless absolutely necessary.  Instead, we will use alternative methods of communication where possible.

This is a rapidly changing situation, we do not anticipate any major impact on the service, and we are confident we have the necessary plans and preparation in place to deal with this emergency.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Pension Team directly by e-mail on info@berkshirepensions.org.uk or by telephone on 01628 796 668.

Philip Boyton MCIPPdip
Pension Administration Manager

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