Issue - meetings

This report provides an update on provision and member progress against of the LGPS online learning facility.

Sawan Shah (Head of Finance, Pensions and Housing Companies) 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, members were reminded of the new measures included within the Fit for the Future proposals designed 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.  This included the requirement for administering authorities to publish a governance and training strategy (attached as Appendix 2 to the report), which would replace the currently used Governance and Compliance statement in outlining the authority's approach to governance, knowledge and training, representation, and conflicts of interest.

In working towards this the Fund had 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 1 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 allow members time to complete the required training programme, with the current focus on those needing to complete the required sections reflected within the current learning plan and members urged to ensure they had completed any outstanding modules.

In noting the update provided on progress being made by members against the current training plan and in line with the Training Strategy (as detailed within Section 3 of the report) as at 31 August 2025, the Sub Committee was reminded of the importance in ensuring consistent engagement and progress in completion of the require modules  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 officers for their work in delivering the training plan and the Committee RESOLVED to note the plan and continue delivery of the learning programme as outlined in the training timetable.