Agenda and minutes

Councillor David Simmonds declared a general Non-Pecuniary Interest as he was a member of the Teachers' Pensions Board. He remained in the meeting during discussion on all items.

There were no conflicts of interests reported.

Agreed as an accurate record.

To confirm the items of business marked Part I will be considered in public and that items marked Part II will be considered in private.

That Agenda Items 7, 8 and 9 be considered in private for the reasons stated on the agenda.

The Board was provided with CIPFA & Barnett Waddington's list of seminar programmes for 2016/17 for Local Pension Boards.

The seminars were designed as an opportunity for members of Local Pension Boards to share experiences, to receive updates, to enhance knowledge and to discuss the key issues facing Local Government Pension Schemes.

RESOLVED –

1.   That the information be noted and Members be requested to contact the Deputy Director Strategic Finance if they wished to attend any of the seminars.

A general discussion took place on the work programme for the Board and Members were informed that it would be advantageous for Board Members to attend Pensions Committee meetings.

At Pensions Committee meetings, Members were provided with greater detail on items which would benefit Pension Board Members.

Dates of future Pensions Committee meetings would be sent to Board Members with an invitation to attend the meetings.  

RESOLVED –

1.   That the work programme be noted and Members of the Board be invited to attend future meetings of the Pensions Committee to enable their skills and knowledge to be increased.

To receive an oral update.

This item was discussed as a Part II item without the press or public present as the information under discussion contained confidential or exempt information as defined by law in the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985.  This was because it discussed ‘information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)’ (paragraph 3 of the schedule to the Act).

The Corporate Pensions Manager reported that there were 18 working days to go until the Pensions Administrations was transferred to Surrey County Council. Work was taking place with officers of the Council, Capita and Surrey County Council to ensure a smooth transition.

Data exchanges were taking place and testing was taking place with payroll to ensure there were no duplications or omissions of records. On 12 October 2016 there would be an administrators' meeting with Surrey County Council, with school payroll providers also invited to attend.

Reference was made to the newly upgraded employees' portal which would be introduced which would help provide information to scheme members.

Officers were thanked for the work they had carried out in relation to ensuring a smooth transition of the Pensions Administration contract and also ensure that Pension Scheme member Annual Statements were sent out.

RESOLVED -

1.    That the information reported be noted.

Members of the Board are asked to bring their copy of the Pensions Committee agenda to the meeting.

This item was discussed as a Part II item without the press or public present as the information under discussion contained confidential or exempt information as defined by law in the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985.  This was because it discussed ‘information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)’ (paragraph 3 of the schedule to the Act).

The Board was provided with the agenda for the last Pensions Committee which took place on 21 September 2016 and noted the reports.

Agreed as an accurate record.