Issue - meetings

To note the draft minutes of the Pension Board meeting held on Thursday 7 November 2024.

(Agenda republished to include the attached minutes on 18 February 2025)

George Patsalides (Finance Analyst, Brent Council) introduced the report from the Corporate Director Finance & Resources, which provided an update on the provision of the LGPS online learning facility and informed committee members of recent training developments.

In introducing the update, it was noted that the Government in November 2024 had published their Fit for the Future consultation, which proposed a number of new measures to enhance governance, including a focus on the training of members involved in overall strategic direction of local authority pension funds.  This included the requirement for Pension Committee members to have the appropriate level of knowledge and understanding for their roles, with the requirements for Pension Committee and Local Pension Board members to be aligned in order to ensure they possessed the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively fulfil their roles.

In working towards this the Fund was already subscribed to the LGPS Online Learning Academy (LOLA) as an online platform designed to support the training needs of Pension Committee and Board members with a training plan (attached as Appendix 3 of the report) detailing progress in completion of the required training modules within the agreed timeframe.  Members noted the training plan had been adapted to accommodate new members to the Committee whilst also allowing existing members additional time to complete the required training programme, with the current focus on those needing to complete the required sections (up to Module 7) by February 2025. 

In noting the update provided on progress being made by members against the current training plan and in line with the Training Strategy, the Sub Committee was reminded of the importance in ensuring consistent engagement and progress in completion of the require modules (for which it was noted a majority of members remained on track) in order to ensure members possessed the necessary knowledge and skills in relation to their role on the Sub Committee and in overseeing the Pension Fund.

With no further questions or comments, the Chair thanked George Patsalides for his work in delivering the training plan and the Committee RESOLVED to note the plan.