Pension Board and Committee – Work Programme

 


Future Pension Board Agenda

Item

Description

Author

Standing items (items that appear on each agenda)

Pension Committee Agenda

A consideration of the draft agenda of the Pension Committee.

Head of Pensions

Governance Report

A report on governance issues effecting the fund, developments in the LGPS, policy amendments and McCloud working group update

Pensions Manager – Governance and Compliance

Employer Engagement and Contributions Report

A report on Employer Engagement matters to note, Employer Contributions update, Communications from the Fund and Communications working group update

Pensions Manager – Employer Engagement

Pensions Administration report

An update on the performance of the Pensions Administration Team.

Head of Pensions Administration

Internal Audit reports

All internal audit reports on the ESPF are reported to the Board

Head of Internal Audit

East Sussex Pension Fund (ESPF) Quarterly budget report

An update on the ESPF’s budget. This is reported in Q2-4 only.

Head of Pensions

East Sussex Pension Fund (ESPF) Risk Register

A report on the ESPF’s Risk Register

Head of Pensions

Work programme

A report on the Board and Committee’s work programme

Head of Pensions

East Sussex Pension Fund (ESPF) Breaches Log

A report on the ESPF breaches log

Head of Pensions

Employer Admissions and Cessations

A report on the admission and cessation of employers to the ESPF.

Head of Pensions

4 September 2023

2 November 2023

Independent Auditors Report on the Pension Fund Accounts 2021/22

A report on the External Audit findings of the Pension Fund financial Statements for 2021/22

Head of Pensions

Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVC) Report

AVC update report on AVC offerings to members

Head of Pensions

Pension Fund Annual Report and Accounts 2021/22

2020/21 Annual Report and Accounts for approval

Head of Pensions

Employer Forum Agenda

Discussion on Pension Fund Employer Forum Agenda topics

Pensions Manager – Employer Engagement

Annual Training Plan

Report on Training completed in the year and training recommendations for the up-coming year

Head of Pensions

 8 February 2024

Business Plan and Budget 2024/25

Report to set the Budget for the Pension Fund for the Financial Year 2024/25 including the Business Plan with key deliverables for the year.

Head of Pensions

External Audit Plan for the East Sussex Pension Fund 2023/24

Draft External Audit Plan for 2023/24 Pension Fund Financial Statements

Head of Pensions

5 June 2024

Governance and Compliance Statement

Annual Review of Governance and Compliance Statement

Governance and Compliance Pensions Manager

Annual Report of the Pension Board

Annual report of the Pension Board to the Scheme manager outlining the work throughout the year

Head of Pensions with the Chair of the Board

Privacy Notice and Memorandum of Understanding

Annual review of Funds Privacy Notice (summary and full) and Memorandum of Understanding to check for any changes. This will be reported as a note in the governance report if no required changes.

Governance and Compliance Pensions Manager

Training Strategy

Two year review and refresh of the Funds Training Strategy

Governance and Compliance Pensions Manager

Risk Management Policy

Three years review and refresh of the Funds Risk Management Policy

Governance and Compliance Pensions Manager

11 September 2024

7 November 2024

13 February 2025

 

 


Actions requested by the Pensions Board

Subject Area

Detail

Status

Internal Audit reports

The Board requested that internal audit consider an audit of the common data sets

provided to the Pensions Regulator

TBC

Scheme administration

The Board requested a report on potential recommendations from the Scheme

Advisory Board (SAB) that the Scheme Manager role is removed from local

authority control.

Ongoing

discussions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 


Future Pension Committee Agenda

Item

Description

Author

Standing items (items that appear on each agenda)

Governance Report

A report on governance issues effecting the fund, developments in the LGPS, approval of policy amendments and McCloud working group update

Pensions Manager – Governance and Compliance

Pensions Administration report

An update on the performance of the Pensions Administration Team.

Head of Pensions Administration

Internal Audit reports

Internal audit reports on the ESPF and annual audit plan.

Head of Internal Audit

East Sussex Pension Fund (ESPF) Quarterly budget report

An update on the ESPF’s budget - reported Q2-4 only

Head of Pensions

East Sussex Pension Fund (ESPF) Risk Register

A report on the ESPF’s Risk Register

Head of Pensions

Work programme

A report on the Board and Committee’s work programme

Head of Pensions

Investment Report

A Quarterly performance report of the investment managers

Head of Pensions and Investment Consultant

East Sussex Pension Fund (ESPF) Breaches Log

A report on the ESPF breaches log – reported only when a new breach is recognised, or status changed. Report goes quarterly to Board.

Head of Pensions

Employer Admissions and Cessations

A report on the admission and cessation of employers to the ESPF - reported only when outstanding admissions or cessations.

Head of Pensions

19 September 2023

Carbon Footprinting

A report on the carbon footprint of the portfolio of ESPF including whether investments are in line with transition pathways. (Note this may slip to September depending on supplier turnaround times)

Head of Pensions

ESG Impact Assessment

Annual assessment by Investment consultants on the ESG standing of Investment managers with action plan

Head of Pensions

Investment Strategy Statement

Refresh of the Investment Strategy Statement following Strategy review workshop in July to formalise and approve the new strategy post triennial valuation.

Review to include Statement of Investment Principles.

Head of Pensions

Stewardship Code submission for 2022

Update on status for submitting second annual submission to FRC for Stewardship activities for calendar year 2022 prior to October submission date

Head of Pensions

16 November 2023

Independent Auditors Report on the Pension Fund Accounts 2021/22

A report on the External Audit findings of the Pension Fund financial Statements for 2021/22

Head of Pensions

Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVC) Report

AVC update report on AVC offerings to members

Head of Pensions

Pension Fund Annual Report and Accounts 2021/22

2020/21 Annual Report and Accounts for approval

Head of Pensions

Employer Forum Agenda

Discussion on Pension Fund Employer Forum Agenda topics

Pensions Manager – Employer Engagement

Annual Training Plan

Report on Training completed in the year and training recommendations for the up-coming year

Head of Pensions

22 February 2024

Business Plan and Budget 2024/25

Report to set the Budget for the Pension Fund for the Financial Year 2024/25 including the Business Plan with key deliverables for the year.

Head of Pensions

External Audit Plan for the East Sussex Pension Fund 2023/24

Draft External Audit Plan for 2023/24 Pension Fund Financial Statements

Head of Pensions

19 June 2024

Governance and Compliance Statement

Annual Review of Governance and Compliance Statement

Governance and Compliance Pensions Manager

Annual Report of the Pension Board

Annual report of the Pension Board to the Scheme manager outlining the work throughout the year

Head of Pensions with the Chair of the Board

Privacy Notice and Memorandum of Understanding

Annual review of Funds Privacy Notice (summary and full) and Memorandum of Understanding to check for any changes. This will be reported as a note in the governance report if no required changes.

Governance and Compliance Pensions Manager

Training Strategy

Two year review and refresh of the Funds Training Strategy

Governance and Compliance Pensions Manager

Risk Management Policy

Three years review and refresh of the Funds Risk Management Policy

Governance and Compliance Pensions Manager

17 July 2024  - Investment Strategy Workshop and training day

25 September 2024

21 November 2024

27 February 2025

 

 


 

 

Actions requested by the Committee

Subject Area

Detail

Status

The case for Divestment and implications on Investment Strategy

Committee agreed in July 2022 to ask officers and the Fund’s external advisers to conduct a piece of work concurrent with the completion of the triennial valuation which:

1.    Assesses the fiduciary and legal consequences of fossil fuel divestment for the Fund;

2.    Examines how such a move aligns with relevant guidance and advice;

3.    Explores how practical an act it would be within the context of the ACCESS pool; and

4.    Reviews evidence on the efficacy of such an approach in promoting the energy transition.

 

Complete – presented to the Committee at their workshop day and will be included in the September investment report.

Presentations from Investment Managers

Meetings / Presentations with impact managers to understand what investments are held in the portfolios and IFM to understand the future proofing of infrastructure assets

In progress  - expected to be scheduled in September

Training

Requests were made, following the July 2023 investment workshop day, for training on the following areas

·         How to invest in the energy transition.  Eg electric storage/batteries, renewables, nuclear, hydrogen, EV’s. What is cost and access to markets for these investments.

·         How are Private Equity Companies selected for the underlying portfolios, do we know what is held, do the IM’s have influence/control of the underlying companies, can we influence what is included or not? Are there Impact or ESG PE options?

·         What are the pros and cons of DGF / absolute return funds? How are they correlated to other asset classes?

·         Global sovereign gilts – access to market, pros and cons of investing in other jurisdictions rather than the UK including ESG

·         How does LGPS investment strategy evolve over time, what is rebalancing, when is it done, what are the timelines associated with setting investment strategies, what are the impacts of pooling on strategy implementation

·         Cost benefit implications of de-risking the portfolio

·         Core responsibilities of Councillors in their role on the pension committee to ensure proper exercise of its responsibilities and powers. Readdressing the need for Governance framework role of the Committee and considering strategic investment change recommendations from expert advisers, rather than directing underlying investment holdings.

In progress – these will be looked at and considered how to best roll out

 


 

Current working groups

Title of working group

Detail and meetings since last Pensions Board and Committee meetings

Membership

Investment Implementation Working Group (IIWG)

The Investment Working Group and ESG working group have been amalgamated, as agreed at Pensions Committee 21 September 2020.

The IIWG has an advisory role to over oversee the implementation of decisions by the Pension Committee in relation to investment decisions and carry out detailed research and analysis for Pensions Committee.

Recent IIWG meetings

·         11 May 2023 (Gilt triggers, property pooling, performance, strategy review progress, PE valuations, liquid asset pooling)

·         24 May 2023 Officers and Advisers only – progress on Divestment project

·         29 June 2023 Officers and Advisers only – progress on Divestment project

Scheduled

·         21 August 2023 (Investment Strategy Recommendations)

William Bourne, Russell Wood, Sian Kunert, Representative from Investment Consultant

Cllr Fox or substitute committee member is invited to attend

Administration Working Group

The Administration Working Group was set up in 2021 following the conclusion of the ABS and Data Improvement Working Group. The group discuss ongoing administration projects and areas of administration focus

Recent meetings

·         4 July 2023

Scheduled

·         24 August 2023

·         9 October 2023

·         5 December 2023

Cllr Fox, Ray Martin, Neil Simpson, Paul Punter, Sian Kunert, Ian Gutsell

Vacancy for employer rep

 

McCloud Working Group

The McCloud Working Group has been established to oversee the implementation of the McCloud ruling within a prescribed timeframe and addressing any gaps and barriers preventing progress and ultimately delivery of the project.

A high-level impact assessment has been completed to identify those members of the scheme that will be affected by this ruling.

The Group have acknowledged there are many data requests of employers and this project needs to be managed carefully with other demands on employers time.

The Terms of Reference for this working group have now ended, Board and Committee to determine if the group needs to continue.

Cllr Fox, Paul Punter, Sian Kunert, Dave Kellond, Mike Burton

 

Board representatives needed

Communications Working Group

The Communications Working Group was established by the Pensions Board in February 2021 to drive forward improvements in communications with stakeholders with support from employee and employer representatives.

Recent meetings

·         17 May 2023 – TME/MSS, Member booklet

Scheduled meetings

·         12 September 2023

·         12 December 2023

Ray Martin, Sian Kunert, Tim Hillman, Paul Linfield,

Vacancy for employer rep & employee rep

 

Note - All Board members invited to attend

 

 


 

 


Training and Development – attendance at recent events

Date

Topic

Committee

Board

6-8 June 2023

PLSA Investment Conference
This year pensions industry leaders and aspiring leaders will discuss:
• The impact of macroeconomic and political instability on the investment climate
• The way we identify, understand and manage the next big risks 
• The investment outlook for an industry searching for growth opportunities
• How pension funds can support positive growth for the national economy and society

 

Ray

14 June 2023

Private Credit Training

Cllrs Redstone, Hollidge, Taylor

 

29 June 2023

Climate risk for investors
• A brief introduction to the issues;
• What can pension funds do and what can’t they do;
• Practical pointers regarding the identification and measurement of climate risk and how this can feed into decision making;
• Options currently available to a pension fund to take climate change risks into account (what could we do to mitigate the risk to the Fund);
• What East Sussex is doing to manage this risk; and
• Possible future developments.

 

Cllrs Fox, Hollidge, Tutt, Taylor

 

 


 

 


Training and Development – Upcoming Training Offered to Pension Board

 

September

Date

Topic

Location and Dates:

12 Sep, Wolverhampton - 14:00 - 17:00

13 Sep, Leeds - 14:00 - 17:00

21 Sep, Edinburgh – 11:30 - 15:00 

26 Sep, Cardiff, - 12:00 - 15:00

 

Organisation: LGA

Cost: Free

Investment cost transparency

 

These sessions will provide:

      An explanation of the purpose and background of the Scheme Advisory Board’s Code of Transparency

      a case study from an LGPS fund on how investment cost information has been used

      a troubleshooting session on how to use the online reporting system, run in conjunction with Byhiras (the system providers), and

      a facilitated discussion on the information that fund officers should be receiving and how this information should be reported to pension boards and committees.

 

Sessions 1 - 3 for all attendees

Sessions 4 - 5 for Officers only

 

13 September

Organiser: PLSA

Time: 11:00-11:45

Location: Online

Cost: Free

The Mansion House Reforms - Where do we stand now?

In this webinar:

      Experts from the PLSA’s Policy team outline the key points we have been putting to the Government on issues as pensions and growth, value for money in DC, small pots and the future of LGPS pooling.

      Scheme leaders give their perspective on what it all means in practice.

      We look ahead to what happens next in pensions policy, as we move towards a General Election

 

14 September

Organiser: Pensions Age

Time: 08:50 – 17:00

Location: London

Cost: Free

Pensions Age Autumn Conference 2023

Topics include regulatory updates, investment, technology, administration, communication, de-risking and more

 

 


 

 


Training and Development – Upcoming Training Offered to Pension Committee

 

September

Date

Topic

7 September

Organiser: SPS

Time: 09:00 - 16:00

Location: London

Cost: Free

Bond Strategies in the New Investment Climate

Conference objectives:

•    Update yourself on the economic and market environment

•    Explore a range of fixed income investment strategies

•    Support your decision making

•    Answer your concerns in Q&A led by investors

•    Network with peers and speakers (77% pension fund attendees SPS Bonds Jan 2023)

 

7-8 September

Organiser: LGC

Location: Leeds

Cost:

1 night accommodation: £1049.00

2 nights accommodation: £1199.00

 

LGC Investment & Pensions Summit 2023

The event brings together the whole LGPS community for 2 days of critical insight, topical content and high-level debate to navigate through the key and numerous challenges facing those delivering local government pensions today.

 

New for this year are sessions covering some of the broader pensions issues including:

·         Debate on what the pensions of the future look like

·         Global outlook on an unprecedented economic landscape

The LGPS as a lever for change to boost UK growth

 

Location and Dates:

12 Sep, Wolverhampton - 14:00 - 17:00

13 Sep, Leeds - 14:00 - 17:00

21 Sep, Edinburgh – 11:30 - 15:00 

26 Sep, Cardiff, - 12:00 - 15:00

 

Organisation: LGA

Cost: Free

Investment cost transparency

 

These sessions will provide:

      An explanation of the purpose and background of the Scheme Advisory Board’s Code of Transparency

      a case study from an LGPS fund on how investment cost information has been used

      a troubleshooting session on how to use the online reporting system, run in conjunction with Byhiras (the system providers), and

      a facilitated discussion on the information that fund officers should be receiving and how this information should be reported to pension boards and committees.

 

Sessions 1 - 3 for all attendees

Sessions 4 - 5 for Officers only

 

13 September

Organiser: PLSA

Time: 11:00-11:45

Location: Online

Cost: Free

The Mansion House Reforms - Where do we stand now?

In this webinar:

      Experts from the PLSA’s Policy team outline the key points we have been putting to the Government on issues as pensions and growth, value for money in DC, small pots and the future of LGPS pooling.

      Scheme leaders give their perspective on what it all means in practice.

      We look ahead to what happens next in pensions policy, as we move towards a General Election

 

14 September

Organiser: Pensions Age

Time: 08:50 – 17:00

Location: London

Cost: Free

Pensions Age Autumn Conference 2023

Topics include regulatory updates, investment, technology, administration, communication, de-risking and more

20 September

Organiser: SPS

Time: 09:00 – 16:30

Location: London

Cost: Free

Net Zero, Impact & Sustainable Investment Conference

Conference objectives:

      Explore a range of new impact and sustainable investment strategies

      Consider manager selection – and avoid greenwashing

      Understand the latest research on effective ESG data in different countries

      Answer your concerns in Q&A led by investors

      Network with peers and speakers (75% investor attendees SPS ESG April 2023

 

28 September*

Organiser: DG Publishing

Time: 08:30 – 13:50

Location: Loch Lomond

Cost: Free

DB Strategic Investment Forum

This is an annual reality check on the state of the DB pensions industry, enabling senior pensions executives to compare notes in a non-competitive environment on the investment and funding challenges they all face in delivering guaranteed member outcomes. This is the ideal place for public and private sector pension schemes to exchange ideas on handling issues such as climate change, inflation protection and risk mitigation.

 

*In the delegate pass is included: 2-nights accommodation and dinner on the 27th and 28th September.

 

October

19 October

Organiser: SPS

Time: 09:00 – 16:30

Location: London

Cost: Free

LGPS Sustainable Investment & Other Topical Issues Conference

      Topics to be covered will include:

      Life Sciences with an impact theme

      Litigation as part of a toolkit to allow sustainability in pension fund investments

      Private Debt

      Fixed Income

      TCFD

      Plus topical LGPS issues from key industry figures