Issue - meetings

With reference to article 6 of the minute of its previous meeting, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Resources which provided an update on any changes to the North East Scotland Pension Fund (NESPF) and the Aberdeen City Council Transport Fund strategies.

The report provided an update on the First Bus merger/buy-in; the consultation from the Scottish Public Pensions Agency on changes to the valuation cycle; the Enhanced Administration to Payroll module into the Altair administration system test environment; the proposed launch of the new NESPF website in April / May 2020; training for Pension Fund staff; NESPF staffing and the current vacancies in the team; the Data Quality Improvement Plan; the annual document review; and finally that there had been no fraud, whistleblowing and breaches of the Bribery Act cases during 2019/20.

Appended to the report was the Pension Administration Strategy Quarterly Update for Quarter 3 2019/20; the Data Quality Improvement report update; and the risk register as at February 2020.

The report recommended:-

that Committee note the data quality scores reported to the Pensions Regulator and the update to the Data Quality Improvement Plan for reassurance.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)         to request that officers provide information to Members outwith the meeting by way of email on any implications for the option to suspend an employer’s liability to pay an exit payment when managing the process of an employer exiting the scheme (paragraph 3.7.1.1. refers);

(ii)        to suggest that a survey be undertaken of NESPF staff to ensure awareness of relevant policies;

(ii)        to request that officers circulate the Scottish Public Pensions Agency consultation response to Members by way of email outwith the meeting; and

(iii)       to otherwise approve the recommendation.

The Board resolved:-

to note the decision of the Committee.