LGPS boycott call for Tory councillors

The campaign group said the political party kept talking about the reform of public sector pensions – and said stopping their councillors joining the LGPS would be a "real opportunity" to show their intent.

Under current regulations it is the choice of individual councils as to whether or not councillors should be allowed membership of the LGPS.

TPA campaigns director Mark Wallace said: "The Conservatives keep talking about public pensions and how they need reforming. With the LGPS they have a real opportunity to show their intent.

"They control the majority of local councils and could put a stop to their councillors joining the scheme. You can’t criticise the level of employer contributions in the scheme while you are at Westminster and then have your councillors signing up to it across the rest of the country."

He said the LGPS scheme was in danger of running out of funds and being unable to support its members if it was not reformed.

Wallace added: "We are extremely concerned about the level of employer contributions paid in to the LGPS. These are very high and are partially funded by the council taxpayer.

"We are more concerned now that we are realising how many councillors are becoming members."

He explained the alliance saw no reason why councillors should become members of the scheme, particularly when it led to higher taxes for their constituents.

"It comes down to a matter of conscience, and in good conscience councillors should not join the scheme. They are not actual employees and they already get paid an allowance for providing a public service," he said.

Both the Conservatives and The Local Government Association, the body representing councils, had no one available to comment.