Agenda item

The Board is asked to note the content of this report and make recommendations if any further action is required.

Witnesses:

Tom Lewis, Pensions Support & Development Manager

Lindsey Shaw, Workforce Information Officer

Sally Wilson, Scheme Manager

Key points raised during the discussion:

1. The Pensions Support & Development Manager introduced the updated report and highlighted paragraph 7 relating to the successful delivery of the Annual Allowance Statement to members.  The Board noted that the tracker stated that tracing would be done in May 2020 and asked if this was delayed due to Covid.  It was thought that the comment may have referred to some other project as officers would not have known about these cases in May.  The tracing was due to take place in January 2021.
2. The Pensions Support & Development Manager also spoke of the progress that had been made with regard to the 180 outstanding tasks in the administration system.  The Chairman referred to the total number of cases in the KPI annex and asked if the 106 total outstanding cases would go down considerably for the next meeting as most of them were issues with transferring in or out.  This was confirmed.  The Chairman also stated that if someone asks for information about a transfer and it is supplied then the case should be closed down until the member made a decision to transfer.   The Workforce Information Officer stated that a few people had made requests but were a long way off retirement.  There were a few transfers to London Fire Brigade but these cases had been dealt with.  The Chairman requested that she inform the Pensions Support & Development Manager of any members whose requests were delayed so they can be expedited.
3. The Pensions Support & Development Manager confirmed that the statutory TPR scheme return was scheduled to be completed by the deadline.  He then went on to talk about bulletin 38 which had been received but was not on the agenda.  The Chairman asked that any bulletins received before a meeting be included in the papers rather than waiting until the next meeting.
4. There was some discussion regarding the pensions helpdesk and the work being undertaken to support the helpdesk and deal with the staff shortage.  It was reported that recruitment was being undertaken now and some leavers had been retained as bank staff to help with training new staff.  The Chairman requested an update on the backlog and on recruitment on a monthly basis from the end of November.
5. The Scheme Manager explained that she was looking at pension administration options for the future and was working with the procurement team to go out to market at the end of November.  They would then be looking for a supplier in December with the aim to have them confirmed and in place by April 2021.  She also explained that all policies were being reviewed to ensure they were compliant and current, and that governance arrangements were being reconfirmed to ensure that decisions were being made at an appropriate level.  A written report would be forthcoming from the Scheme Manager to future meetings.  She also confirmed that there was communication regarding the modified scheme and would be able to give the Board more detail at the next meeting.

Actions/ further information to be provided:

1.    That any bulletins received before a meeting be included in the papers rather than waiting until the next meeting.

2.    The Chairman requested an update on the pensions helpdesk backlog, and on recruitment, on a monthly basis from the end of November.

3.    That a written report from the Scheme Manager be presented to future meetings. 

Resolved:

The Board noted the report.