31.—(1) The following provisions of this Act apply in relation to a new public body pension scheme (and any statutory pension scheme that is connected with it) as to a scheme under section 1 (and any connected scheme)—
(a)section 3(1) and (2) and Schedule 3 (scheme regulations);
(b)section 4 (scheme manager);
(c)sections 5 and 6 (pension board), if the scheme has more than one member;
(d)sections 8 to 10 (scheme design);
(e)sections 11 and 12 (cost control);
(f)sections 14 to 16 (information and records).
(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), the provisions referred to in that subsection are to be read with the following modifications—
(a)references to scheme regulations are to be read as references to the rules of the scheme;
(b)references to the responsible authority are to be read as references to the public authority which established the scheme.
(3) A new public body pension scheme, and any variation to the rules of the scheme, requires the consent of the Department of Finance and Personnel.
(4) In this Act—
“public body pension scheme” means a scheme (other than an existing scheme) established by a public authority for the payment of pensions and other benefits to or in respect of members or staff of a statutory body or the holder of a statutory office;
“new public body pension scheme” means a public body pension scheme established after the coming into force of this section.