Miriam Adams, Interim Head of Pensions and Treasury, presented the report seeking agreement to maintain the list of Administering Authority discretions and policies set out. It was explained that many were longstanding and had developed over the years as the pension scheme regulations changed over time.

The Committee were asked to review the appendix setting these out and highlight any questions. Specific policy documents on death grants and child pension policy were also set out.

The Committee considered the report and agreed to the discretions and the recommendations as set out. It was:

RESOLVED

1.    To approve the recommended administering authority discretions policy.

2.    To note that policies have been implemented following legal developments and recommendations from the Local Government Association.

3.    To approve the Death Grant Policy

4.    To approve the Child Pension Policy

5.    To approve publication on the Pension Fund website.

Ms Miriam Adams, Interim Head of Pensions and Treasury presented the Administering Authority Discretions report. She said a full review of all the administering authority discretions and policies had been undertaken with the support of the Fund actuaries. She said the report and appendix set out the updated discretionary requirements for approval. Ms Adams referred to the Death Grant Policy on page 81 and the Children’s Pension Policy on page 85 of the agenda pack.

In response to comments and questions from members the following was noted:

·       Mr Thompson praised the report and pointed out a typo on page 83, the first two paragraphs and said this needed to be reworded.

·       Referring to page 85, Mr Thompson said under the qualifying criteria, clarity was required as to what “natural children” referred to.

o   Action: Ms Adams AGREED to look at the aforementioned and said she’d speak to the Local Government Association.

The Pensions Board RESOLVED to:

Note the recommendations made to the Pensions Committee who will consider this report at its meeting of 3rd July 2023, that:

The Pensions Committee is recommended to:

1.    Consider and approve the recommended administering authority discretions policy.

2.    Note that policies have been implemented following legal developments and recommendations from the Local Government Association:

3.    Consider and approve the Death Grant Policy.

4.    Consider and approve the Child Pension Policy and.

5.    That the Committee approve publication on the Pension Fund website.