After a recent CPF Committee meeting when six out of ten councillors did not attend the July meeting, we asked if there was a quorum, and in response have been told:
- the CPF Committee is an advisory panel, not a decision-making body.
- Its Terms of Reference do not specify any quorum requirements.
- The Chief Operating Officer has delegated responsibility for the management and administration of the Fund.
We propose to follow this up with the MHCLG for confirmation that our CPF Committee can be just an advisory panel, and does not need a quorum for decision making. We think this is an important time for our pensions and our pension fund for many reasons.
The government has announced a Pensions Review which has significant implications for Cheshire Pension Fund, and all LGPS funds and pools. The first phase focussed on the LGPS system. The government has published an Interim Report and an LGPS Consultation at Pensions Investment Review: interim report, consultations and evidence – GOV.UK
The consultation “LGPS – Fit For the Future” is at Local Government Pension Scheme (England and Wales): Fit for the future – GOV.UK The consultation is based on LGPS fund and pool structures and management, management costs, the transfer levels from funds to pools, and the levels of UK investing by funds.
Our CPF Members Forum will be interested in how Cheshire Pension Fund, the CPF Committee, and LGPS Central will engage and respond to the Pensions Review and the Fit For The Future Consultation.
- Both the Pensions Review and the LGPS Consultation are not mentioned in the recent Winter 2024 CPF Pensioner newsletter
- The Head of CPF retired at the end of July 2024. No replacement has yet been announced.
- A new chair of the Pension Board was appointed from 26 September 2024.
- As well as Committee agenda, papers, and minutes, since July 2024 CPF now publish a two side summary of Committee Meetings at Meetings and Agendas
BACKGROUND TO THE JULY COMMITTEE MEETING
In September we submitted a question to the Pension Board about the low attendance levels by councillors at the 19 July CPF Committee, even though it was online, and items were approved. See CPF Meetings and Agendas
We asked if the 19 July meeting was quorate, because the minutes showed:
- “….six out of ten councillors did not attend, even though it was online, including no-one from Warrington or Halton.
- A number of important items were approved in the agenda, however the Pensions Bill announced in the King’s Speech, or the Pensions Review, were not on the agenda, even as urgent business.
- The Pension Board has the responsibility of assisting the Administering Authority with the effective and efficient governance and administration of the fund.
- Therefore please will the Board confirm that the 19 July Committee meeting was quorate, and will the Pension Board seek to ensure improved attendance at future meetings at such a critical time for CPF, the pools, and our pensions.”
The response we received from the Pension Board on 27 September was:
- “The Pension Fund Committee meeting was originally scheduled to take place on 7 June. However, once the General Election was called the meeting had to be postponed due to pre-election protocols.
- The meeting was rescheduled for 19 July but regrettably this meant that a number of members were unable to attend due to prior commitments.
- Under the Council’s constitution the Chief Operating Officer, who is also, the Council’s Section 151 officer has delegated responsibility for the management and administration of the Fund.
- The Committee is an advisory panel, not a decision-making body. Its Terms of Reference therefore do not specify any quorum requirements.”
As well as the Committee agenda, papers, and minutes, CPF now also publish a two side summary of Committee Meetings at Meetings and Agendas
LINKS AND REFERENCES
CPF link Governance structure
CPF link Annual Report
Treasury link Pensions Investment Review: interim report, consultations and evidence – GOV.UK
