Issue - meetings

To note the draft minutes of the Pension Board meeting held on the 6^th November 2025.

The Chair then welcomed David Ewart (as Independent Chair of the Pension Board) to the meeting in order to provide an overview of the issues considered at the most recent Board held on Thursday 6 November 2025, as set out in the draft minutes from the meeting.

As a starting point, David Ewart took the opportunity to remind members of the function and structure of the Pension Board, which he advised was a statutory body established to review the performance of the Pension Fund and was made up of an equal number of employer and member representatives. In comparison, the Pension Fund Sub-Committee’s role focused on the investment and management of the Fund, although in practice the two bodies within Brent worked closely together and shared similar views in overseeing governance of the Pension Fund.

In outlining specific issues considered at the Board’s last meeting, members were advised of the ongoing monitoring of performance relating to administration of the Pension Fund for scheme members (including an ongoing focus on data quality given its critical role on the valuation process) as well as the updated Risk Register for the Brent Pension Fund Administration Service, which it was felt also provided a useful point of reference for the Sub Committee in relation to the management of existing and emerging risks.

The Board had also received updates on the investment and governance matters considered by the Sub-Committee and had been broadly supportive of all decisions made. It was noted that, as reflected in the published minutes, the most substantive discussion points remained confidential for appropriate reasons.

Following the overview provided, a question was raised regarding progress in completion of the Pension Fund Audit.  In response, David Ewart confirmed (referring to his position as Independent Chair on the Audit & Standards Advisory Committee) that the audit had been completed but was awaiting completion of the Council's wider audit, with the final version anticipated to be signed-off shortly in advance of the final backstop date. It was also noted, for members' information, that under forthcoming changes to audit arrangements, pension fund accounts would be separated from the main council accounts, which should resolve the delays that had arisen in previous years.

The Chair thanked David Ewart for the update provided, and with no further issues raised, it was RESOLVED to note the minutes from the Pension Board held on 6 November 2025.