Agendas, reports and minutes

A Special joint meeting of the Pensions Committee and Pension Board will take place Remotely on Friday 6 December 2024 at 2.00 pm.

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

Stewart Fraser

Chief Officer Legal and Corporate Governance

Business

1. Apologies for Absence
    Leisgeulan

2. Declarations of Interest/Transparency Statement
    Foillseachaidhean Com-pàirt/Aithris Fhollaiseachd

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 provide some information on the nature of the interest and leave the meeting at the appropriate time. Advice may be sought from officers prior to the meeting taking place.

3. External Annual Audit
    Sgrùdadh Bliadhnail on Taobh A-muigh

3a Audited Accounts 2023/24
     Cunntasan Sgrùdaichte 2023/24

The Audited Statement of Accounts (Report No. PC/17/24) for the financial year 2023/24 are available at the link below:-

Pension fund accounts | Audited Accounts April 2023 to March 2024

There are no material changes in the Audited Statement of Accounts compared to the Unaudited Statement of Accounts which was presented to the Accounts presented to The Highland Council meeting on 27 June 2024.

The Chief Officer - Corporate Finance will respond to any matters arising.

The Committee is invited to approve the accounts for signature.

3b Letter of Representation 2023/24
     Litir Riochdachaidh 2023/24

There is circulated Report No. PC/18/24 a copy of the annual audit letter of representation 2023/24.

The Committee is asked to agree that the letter be signed on behalf of the Highland Council by the Chief Officer – Corporate Finance.

3c External Annual Audit Report to Members of the Pensions Committee and the Controller of Audit
     Aithisg In-sgrùdaidh Bhliadhnail on Taobh A-muigh do Bhuill de Chomataidh nam Peinnsean agus Rianadair an Sgrùdaidh

There is circulated Report No. PC/19/24 by the External Auditor, Audit Scotland.

The Committee is invited to note the report.

4. Mansion House Reforms
    Ath-leasachaidhean Thaighean Mòra

There is circulated Report No. PC/20/24 by the Chief Officer - Corporate Finance.

The Committee is invited to note the report.

5. Revision to Highland Council Pension Fund Internal Audit Annual Plan 2024/25
    Plana Bliadhnail In-Sgrùdadh Maoin Peinnsein Chomhairle na Gàidhealtachd 2024/25

There is circulated Report No. PC/21/24 by the Strategic Lead (Corporate Audit).

The Committee is invited to approve the substitution of an audit on the 2024/25 Plan as detailed in section 5.1.

6. Membership of Investment Sub-Committee
    Ballrachd na Fo-Chomataidh Tasgaidh

As a result of the By-Elections the political make-up of the Investment Sub Committee is now as follows:-

SNP – 2/ Highland Independent – 2/ Scottish Liberal Democrats – 2/ Highland Alliance – 1

On that basis, the Committee is asked to approve the revised Investment Sub Committee membership as follows:-

2 – SNP – Mr P Oldham; Mr C Ballance (Scottish Green Party)
2 – Highland Independent – Mr B Lobban; Mrs M Paterson
2 – Liberal Democrat – Mr R Gale; Mrs T Robertson
1 – Highland Alliance – Mr A Mackintosh (Scottish Labour Party)
• One representative Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, (non-voting); and
• One representative for the trade unions (non-voting).

7. Exclusion of the Public

The Sub-Committee is asked to resolve that, under Section 50(A) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, the public be excluded from the meeting during discussion on the following item on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 6 of Part 1 of schedule 7A of the Act.

8. Partial Cessation

There is circulated to Members only Report No. PC/22/24 by the Chief Officer, Corporate Finance.
The Committee are asked to approve the recommendations detailed in the report.