Committees

A meeting of the Pensions Committee will take place in the Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Thursday 14 November 2013 at 10.00 a.m.  Please note the earlier start time of this meeting.

You are invited to attend the meeting and a note of the business to be considered is attached.

Webcast Notice: This meeting will be filmed and broadcast over the internet on the Highland Council website and will be archived and available for viewing for 12 months thereafter.

Yours faithfully

Michelle Morris
Assistant Chief Executive

Business

1.  Apologies for Absence
Leisgeulan 

2.  Declarations of Interest
Foillseachaidhean Com-pàirt

Members are asked to consider whether they have an interest to declare in relation to any item on the agenda for this meeting.   Any Member making a declaration of interest should indicate whether it is a financial or non-financial interest and include some information on the nature of the interest.   Advice may be sought from Officers prior to the meeting taking place. 

3.  Internal Audit Review of Pension Fund Contributions
Aithisg Sgrùdaidh mu Thabhartasan Maoin Pheinnsein

There is circulated Report No. PC-14-13 (50kb pdf) by the Head of Internal Audit & Risk Management which refers to an audit of Pension Fund Contributions which was undertaken as part of the annual plan for 2013/14.

The Committee is invited to consider the report. 

4.  Pension Fund Administration Update Report
Tabhartasan agus Rianachd Maoin Peinnsein

There is circulated Report No. PC-15-13 (37kb pdf) by the Director of Finance which is a periodic update report on matters relating to the administration of the Highland Council Pension Fund.

The Committee is asked to note the report. 

5.  The Highland Council Pension Fund: 2012/13 Audit
Maoin Pheinnsein Chomhairle na Gàidhealtachd: Sgrùdadh 2012/13

There is circulated Report No. PC-16-13(431kb pdf) by Audit Scotland which presents the Highland Council Pension Fund Annual Report on the 2012/13 Audit.

In connection with this item Members are advised that the Audited Pension Fund Annual Report and Statement of Accounts for 2012/13 is now available on the Pension Fund website.

Hard copies will also available in the Members lounge in advance of the meeting.

The Committee is asked to note the:-

i. External Auditor’s Report for the year ended 31 March 2013 and agree the
   response to the findings and the completed Action Plan; and
ii. Pension Fund’s Annual Report and Statement of Accounts for the year
   ended 31 March 2013. 

6. Training Policy and the CIPFA Knowledge and Skills Framework
Frèam Trèanaidh

There is circulated Report No. PC-17-13 (87kb pdf) by the Director of Finance which sets out an updated training policy for the Highland Council Pension Fund, applying to both officers responsible for supporting the Fund, and Members of the Pensions Committee and Investment Sub-Committee charged with governance and decision making.

The Committee is asked to consider this report and:-

i.  Agree to adopt the CIPFA Code of Practice on Public Sector Pensions
    Finance Knowledge and Skills and supporting Framework, through
    agreement of the statements on Appendix A to the report;
ii. Agree the training policy and programme for 2013/14 set out within the
    report;
iii. Note the training delivered to date on pension fund finance matters; and
iv. Note the self-assessment framework at Appendix B to the report which
    Members can use to identify any personal training needs. 

7. Investment Sub Committee: Minutes of Meeting
Fo-chomataidh Tasgaidh: Geàrr-chunntas na Coinneimh

There is circulated for confirmation, Minutes of meeting of the Investment Sub-Committee held on 22 August 2013.