Issue - meetings

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

Sawan Shah (Head of Finance, Pensions and Housing Companies) introduced the report from the Corporate Director Finance & Resources which presented the updated Brent Pension Fund Training Strategy for approval as a means of ensuring that the Sub Committee, Pension Board members, and Officers maintained the appropriate knowledge and skills to effectively fulfil their responsibilities under the new requirements within the Pension Schemes Act 2026.

In presenting the report, members were advised that the update had been designed to reflect the Fit for the Future reforms and the governance guidance published at the end of June 2026.  Key changes to the strategy had included:

·            a focus on the individual responsibility for members to maintain and record their own training.

·            nine core knowledge areas based on the CIPFA Knowledge and Skills Framework.

·            differentiated levels of knowledge required for members and Board representatives (general awareness and understanding) as against officers (a detailed or, for senior officers, expert level of knowledge).

·            a requirement for induction training to be completed within three months of appointment;

·            an annual training needs analysis for all relevant individuals; and enhanced monitoring and reporting of training activity.

In support of the strategy, members were advised that a range of training resources had been made available, including pre-committee training sessions, reading material, e-learning, and attendance at seminars and conferences, alongside the Pensions Regulator's online training toolkit with the guidance confirming that administering authorities must ensure Committee and Board members maintained an appropriate level of knowledge and understanding, assessed on an individual basis and supported by structured training plans and ongoing monitoring.

Following presentation of the report, the Sub-Committee was invited to raise any comments or questions, with the following issues highlighted summarised below:

·            In response to the suggestion that an additional briefing be provided on the London CIVs  evolving role officers agreed to consider how best this could be provided following the meeting.

·            Moving forward, accessibility of training and external training (including training received through Brent UNISON) were discussed. Sawan Shah confirmed that a range of learning styles would be offered based on an individual training needs analysis, and that any relevant external training should be reported to officers so that it could be recorded, noting that training would always be viewed positively, whilst also noting that training completed some time ago might need to be refreshed in light of recent regulatory changes.

With no further questions or comments, the Chair commended officers on the quality of the document and the committee RESOLVED to approve the updated Brent Pension Fund Training Strategy (as detailed within Appendix 1 of the report) having noted the requirement on members to acquire and maintain the appropriate level of expertise, knowledge and skills.