Agenda item

Consideration was given to the report of the Corporate Director, Resources which informed Members of the need to establish a Local Pension Board (the Board) and sought approval of the Terms of Reference for the Board (for copy see file of Minutes).

Nick Orton advised that the County Council had approved establishment of the Board at its meeting on 25 February 2015.

Membership would comprise of 3 scheme member representatives and 3 employer representatives, and the next stage was the selection process. Each Member would serve a 4 year term, retiring on a rolling basis to ensure continuity. The Board would appoint its own Chair and set up its own work schedule.

Members would not receive an allowance but would be reimbursed expenses.

Neville Hancock, UNISON considered that membership of the Board should consist of equal numbers of trade union representatives and employer representatives. Trade Unions had the capacity to represent members and he also considered that appointments should be made by ballot.

Nick Orton advised that the selection process had not been agreed but must be open and transparent. The recruitment of members was delegated to the Corporate Director, Resources in consultation with the members of the Pension Fund Committee. The Chairman of the Committee and Councillors Martin and Carr volunteered to be involved in the recruitment process.

Councillor Martin stated that the role of the Board was to hold the Pension Fund Committee to account and appointments should be made based on a candidate’s knowledge, understanding and experience.

David Ford noted that the Board would rely on the scrutiny of papers and decisions to hold the Committee to account and questioned the effectiveness of this. He also noted the comments made about recruitment and make-up of the Board and was of the view that it may be difficult to fill the positions.

Resolved:

That

i)             the contents of the County Council report establishing the Local Pension Board be noted;

ii)            the Terms of Reference for the Local Pension Board be approved.