Issue - meetings
Communication Strategy and Policy Statement
Meeting: 23/09/2021 - Pensions Committee (Item 5)
5 Communication Strategy and Policy Statement, 06/09/2021 Pension Board PDF 232 KB
Additional documents:
- Appendix. 1 for Communication Strategy and Policy Statement, 06/09/2021 Pension Board, item 5 PDF 662 KB
- Webcast for Communication Strategy and Policy Statement, 06/09/2021 Pension Board
Minutes:
Ms Miriam Adams, Interim Head of Pensions and Treasury said the Communications Strategy and Policy Statement was the responsibility of the Pensions Board and was part of their terms of reference. However, following the successful launch of the self-service Pensions portal and the imminent launch of the Pensions website, a communications strategy had been developed with the aid of Hymans LLP. She referred members to page 59 of the agenda pack and said the idea was to build on the success of the website and ensure there was a regulatory framework on how the Fund communicates with its stakeholders, with clear objectives ensuring information on pensions is accessible to all. She referred to the detailed table starting on page 64 and said this showed how the Pensions Team would be communicating with different stakeholders.
In response to questions from members the following was noted:
- In reference to page 63 of the agenda and Freedom of Information requests, Councillor Wood asked what type of FOI requests were received. Ms Adams responded saying the nature of FOI requests varied, from organisations/media outlets compiling pensions data, to lobby groups enquiring where investments had been made (this was particularly enquired about during the recent Israel/Palestinian conflict), to individuals seeking information on their pensions and/or spouses’ pensions.
The Pensions Committee RESOLVED to:
- Note the Communication Strategy and Policy Statement (Appendix1); and
- The Committee’s feedback on the Communications Strategy presented at the meeting.
Meeting: 06/09/2021 - Pension Board (Item 6)
6 Communication Strategy and Policy Statement PDF 232 KB
Additional documents:
- Appendix. 1 for Communication Strategy and Policy Statement, item 6 PDF 662 KB
- Webcast for Communication Strategy and Policy Statement
Minutes:
Ms Miriam Adams, Interim Head of Pensions and Treasury said the terms of reference for the Pensions Board included consideration of having an effective communication strategy as part of the Pensions Board’s functions.
She said the communication plan appended at appendix A outlined the Fund’s planned communication activities and how the communication referred to within the Communication Policy Statement would be delivered in practice.
In response to questions from members the following was noted:
- The Chair stated the strategy was comprehensive and asked if an annual report ought to be part of the strategy, reporting on the progress made.
- Mr Gray suggested there be a campaign section in the Strategy, where for example deferred members are encouraged to be active again and join the scheme. He said many Members had out of date death beneficiary details for their pensions and therefore a campaign to promote awareness would be welcome. Ms Adams explained this was a task for the Employers and Trade Unions to undertake. However, she would raise this with the Employers’ Forum.
- ACTION: Ms Adams to raise with the Employers’ Forum, the need to encourage staff to join the pensions scheme. Plus consider putting information on the Pension’s Website to remind fund members to keep their nomination forms up to date once launched.
- In reference to page 96 of the agenda, Mr Thompson asked the wording in relation to Staff Feedback be stronger when referring to feedback given by stakeholders. Ms Adams said regular opportunity was provided to staff to feedback especially as dealing with someone who had lost a loved one, can also affect the staff member dealing with the claim.
The Pensions Board RESOVLED to:
- Note the Communication Strategy and Policy Statement (Appendix 1); and
- The Board feedback on the Communication Strategy presented at the meeting.