Welshpool taxpayers facing £215,000 pensions bill

Taxpayers in Welshpool are facing a £215,000 bill to cover a shortfall in pensions for town council staff who retired more than four years ago, it has emerged.

Welshpool Town Council said it had been told that it had not been paying enough into Powys County Council's pension fund.

But Robert Robinson, town clerk, said: "We have never been told that we weren't paying enough and had no idea we had a shortfall until last year," he said.

"It came completely out of the blue and now we've been told that we owe £215,000 and it must be paid back over a period of time.

"The council, which has taken on the shortfall in pension contributions for past staffing, is saying that the shortfall comes from nine former members of staff. But these people retired four years ago, in fact one retired at least 12 years ago.

"I have taken advice on the matter and feel that it needs to be challenged and I also intend to challenge the validity of the county council being able to seek shortfalls when they manage the fund,"he added.

Lee Evans, spokesman for Powys County Council, said: "The town council was informed of what shortfall recovery contributions are required to clear the shortfall over a proposed 25-year recovery period, starting with a £10,400 payment in the next financial year."