Members are reminded that training to understand their responsibilities and the issues they will be dealing with is a very high priority.

The report of the Director, West Yorkshire Pension Fund, (Document “W”) informs Members of training courses, conferences and seminars which may be of assistance. 

Recommended -

That consideration is given by Board Members at the events in Section 1 and Members note the requirement to complete the Pension Regulators toolkit training.

(Caroline Blackburn – 01274 434523)

Members were reminded that training to understand their responsibilities and the issues they would be dealing with was a very high priority.

The report of the Director, West Yorkshire Pension Fund, (Document “W”) informed Members of training courses, conferences and seminars which may be of assistance. 

Particular attention was drawn to the LGPS Annual Conference, 23-24 January 202O which was taking place in York.

Members were asked to identify any training requirements and it was stressed that formal generic training or one to one sessions could be arranged.

It was acknowledged that there was a vast amount of experience available to Members in the WYPF and an invitation was extended for Members to visit the office or to shadow officers in their roles.   It was reiterated that training could be tailored to individual needs and in a variety of forms.

In addition it was explained that The Pension Regulator toolkit was a free, online learning programme aimed at trustees of occupational pension schemes.  It included a series of online learning modules and downloadable resources developed to help Members meet the minimum level of knowledge and understanding introduced in the Pensions Act 2004.  Members were encouraged to undertake that training and once completed it was requested they provide a completion certificate to the Technical and Development Manager who could document that process.  It was suggested that officers could go through the training individually with Members if they wished. 

A Member questioned why he was being asked to complete a training analysis form as he had submitted that information previously.  It was explained that the Technical and Development Manager used that information to ensure Members were provided with the relevant support to carry out their roles.  It was often the case that over time people’s requirements and understanding of issues would change and it enabled her to assess members’ needs. 

The production of a work plan for the Pension Board was suggested.  It was explained that a plan had already been developed which included regular issues to be presented to the Pension Board.   That plan could be circulated to Members and include any particular areas of interest they wished to pursue.  It was also suggested that a training plan including objectives and outcomes for the coming year be considered at the next meeting. 

During discussions about governance arrangements and membership of the Joint Advisory Group, Investment Advisory Group and the Northern LGPS (NLGPS) it was explained that WYPF were in a unique position and one of a minority of funds which included trade union and member representatives on those bodies.   A Member reported their lack of understanding of how the NLGPS, JAG and IAP worked together and it was agreed that training on their composition and Members responsibilities around those bodies would be provided. 

Staff surveys undertaken in other organisations to ascertain any employee concerns were reported by a Member and it was questioned if similar analyses were conducted at WYPF.  It was reported that the Human Resources function of Bradford Metropolitan District Council did conduct staff surveys and information which could be shared, regarding WYPF employees  could be presented to Members in the future. 

The annual member meeting was discussed and it was explained that the content of that meeting would be included in the annual newsletter to members.  It was stressed that WYPF was one of the few funds which held an annual members meeting. 

It was questioned if officers received training on any new software introduced and it was clarified that the software had been used for some time with no major updates recently.  Assurances were provided that Intensive training had been delivered when the software was introduced in 2012. 

No resolution was passed on this item.