Mr Paul Audu, Interim Head of Pensions and Treasury stated the report provided members with an update on the Employer engagement and communications policy of the Fund. Mr Audu referred to the bullet points stated at paragraph 3.2 and said these were the current issues the LGPS had to engage with employers about, who are part of the scheme. Mr Audu said an Employers Information Forum was planned for January 2025 to engage with employers.

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

·       In response to if the Unions were involved in the formulation of the Communications Strategy, Mr Audu said they would be involved.

·       Members asked if the employers had been approached to provide sponsorship for the planned event in January 2025. Mr Audu said he intended to use the Internal Communications Team to disseminate information about the event but would look at sponsorship for future events.

The Pensions Committee RESOLVED to:

1.    Note the content of this report.

2.    Agree officers’ proposal to hold a Pension Fund Information Forum for scheme employers and members in January 2025, at TH Town Hall, date and the event agenda to be agreed with the Fund Actuary and Investment Consultant.

3.    Note that officers will provide an update on the proposed Forum planning including a draft agenda to the Committee in November for consideration and, if satisfied, approval.

Mr Paul Audu, Interim Head of Pensions and Treasury stated the report provided members with an update on the Employer engagement and communications policy of the Fund. Mr Audu referred to the bullet points stated at paragraph 3.2 and said these were the current issues the LGPS had to engage with employers about, who are part of the scheme. Mr Audu said an Employers Information Forum was planned for January 2025 to engage with employers.

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

·       The Board welcomed the idea of holding a Pension Fund Information Forum in January 2025. The Board stated they had been asking for this for some time now.

·       Referring to the bullet points at paragraph 3.2, Mr Thompson said the items listed were strategic heavy subjects and perhaps the better approach would be to promote the benefits of the LGPS, the options available and demystify some of the myths, about investing in a pension. Mr Audu responded stating that the agenda for the AGM would be brought back to the November meeting of the Board and Committee for approval.

·       Ms Lorraine concurred with the approach outlined and said it should be simpler. She said whilst it was important to engage with current employers, it was equally important to promote the scheme to prospective employers who are not in the scheme. This was key to the longer-term sustainability of the fund given the demographic younger aged profile of those not joining.

The Pension Board RESOLVED to NOTE and AGREE the recommendations being made to the Pensions Committee, for its meeting of 30^th September 2024 that:

The Pensions Committee is recommended to:

1.    Note the content of this report.

2.    Agree officers’ proposal to hold a Pension Fund Information Forum for scheme employers and members in January 2025, at TH Town Hall, date and the event agenda to be agreed with the Fund Actuary and Investment Consultant.

3.    Note that officers will provide an update on the proposed Forum planning including a draft agenda to the Committee in November for consideration and, if satisfied, approval.