Local government

Admitted Body Status (ABS) Provisions

Introduction

Services provided by local authorities have a very significant impact on people's quality of life and provides their main experience of public services.  It is vital that these services are delivered to a high standard, and in ways that are responsive to the needs of their users.

The duty of Best Value, involves best value authorities reviewing all their services over five years; setting tough targets for improving them; and publishing a best value performance plan every year to show how they're doing.

In securing best value local authority services or functions may be outsourced by local authorities to private or voluntary sector organisations.

Transfer of underaking and protection of employment (TUPE) Regulations

When local authority services or functions are outsourced to private or third sector contractors some local authority employees involved in the service or function may be transferred under TUPE regulations. 

Pension arrangements

From October 2007, by virtue of directions issued under section 101 of the Local Government Act 2003, contracting authorities will be required to ensure the pension rights for their transferring staff  are the same as, broadly comparable to, or better than, those rights received as an employee of the authority.

Admitted Body Status Provisions

ABS provisions were introduced in 1999 so that contractors who take on local authority services or functions can retain staff transferring from that authority within the Local Government Pension Scheme. 

ABS provisions also enable members of the LGPS to remain in the scheme and continue to accumulate benefits under the one pension scheme whilst their employment is transferred between different contractors. 

For the latest information about ABS see our section below outlining the review of ABS provisions.

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