Issue - meetings

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 and the Aberdeen City Council Transport Fund.

The report provided an update on the Local Government Pension Scheme (Scotland) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2022; the “McCloud Remedy” Regulations; the 23 breaches of law recorded in the NESPF breaches register during 21/22, the majority of which related to employers’ failure to meet statutory obligations in relation to late payment of pensions contributions, but were not deemed to be of material significance and did not require to be reported to the Pensions Regulator; the online training portal; and the usual risk register and Pensions Administration Strategy updates.

It was further noted that there had been minor amendments to the following documents which could be viewed in the secure trustee area of the NESPF website:-

·       Appointment Process for the Local Pensions Board (update to include reference to Hymans Online Learning Academy)

·       Governance Policy (amended from 9 to 13 Committee members)

·       Compliance with the Myners Principles (minor corrections/design changes)

·       Overpayments Policy (minor corrections/design changes)

·       Fire Safety (Local) Policy *NEW* (covers fire safety procedures for MSq2)

·       Training Policy (update to include reference to Hymans Online Learning Portal, clarification to wording on minimum training requirements)

Finally, the report also requested approval of an amended Authorised Signatory List and that the Committee agree to delegate authority to the Chief Officer – Governance, in consultation with the Chief Officer – Finance, to make any further updates and minor amendments to the list.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)      note the revisions to the NESPF Policy documents set out in the main report;

(b)      approve the updated Authorised Signatory List in respect of the Aberdeen City Council Pension Fund, to take effect from 1 September 2022; and

(c)      authorise the Chief Officer – Governance (following consultation with the Chief Officer – Finance) to (i) make further updates to the Authorised Signatory List to reflect any changes to personnel holding the posts listed therein and any changes to the post titles listed therein, and (ii) make any minor amendments to the List which may be necessary.

The Convener advised that since the report had been finalised, Ross Campbell had been appointed permanently to the role of Team Leader – Property, and therefore congratulated Mr Campbell and asked Members to agree that this be reflected in the Committee decision.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)       to request that officers provide a response to Councillor Stewart outwith the meeting in relation to her query as to how many people would be affected by the change in respect of survivor benefits;  and

(ii)       to approve the recommendations, subject to subject to Ross Campbell being identified as Team Leader – Property in the Authorised Signatory List.