The report of the Director, West Yorkshire Pension Fund, (Document “E”) reminds Members that the role of The Pension Board, as defined by sections 5(1) and (2) of the Public Service Pensions Act 2013 is to assist the Council as Scheme Manager in ensuring the effective and efficient governance and administration of the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) including securing compliance with the LGPS regulations and any other legislation relating to the governance and administration of the LGPS; securing compliance with the requirements imposed in relation to the LGPS by the Pensions Regulator; and any other such matters as the LGPS regulations may specify. 

The training of Pension Board members to understand their responsibilities and the issues they are dealing with is a very high priority.  To be able to assist the Scheme Manager and meet the requirements of the Public Service Pensions Act 2013, Pension Board Members must be able to demonstrate suitable knowledge and skills relating to the LGPS to effectively scrutinise the decisions made by officers.  

Recommended –

That the West Yorkshire Pension Fund Knowledge and Skills Training Strategy, appended to Document “E”, be adopted as the formal commitment to meeting the requirement to demonstrate the knowledge and skills of the LGPS and to assist the scheme manager as defined by the Public Services Pensions Act 2013. 

 (Matt Mott – 07815 476877)

The report of the Director, West Yorkshire Pension Fund, (Document “E”) reminded Members that the role of The Pension Board, as defined by sections 5(1) and (2) of the Public Service Pensions Act 2013 was to assist the Council as Scheme Manager in ensuring the effective and efficient governance and administration of the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) including securing compliance with the LGPS regulations and any other legislation relating to the governance and administration of the LGPS; securing compliance with the requirements imposed in relation to the LGPS by the Pensions Regulator; and any other such matters as the LGPS regulations may specify. 

The training of Pension Board members to understand their responsibilities and the issues they were dealing with was a very high priority.  To be able to assist the Scheme Manager and meet the requirements of the Public Service Pensions Act 2013, Pension Board Members must be able to demonstrate suitable knowledge and skills relating to the LGPS to effectively scrutinise the decisions made by officers. 

The proposed West Yorkshire Pension Fund Knowledge and Skills Training Strategy was appended to the report and Members were asked to adopt that strategy as the formal commitment to meeting the requirement to demonstrate their knowledge and skills of the Local Government Pension Scheme.

The appendix to that report set out the rationale of the strategy; its application and purpose and a summary of its objectives.  The delivery of training and training plans were reported and included external events.  Continuing development; recording of progress and achievements and resources and materials were also contained in the document.

It was proposed that all Members complete two training modules from the online TPR Public Sector Took Kit and two modules from the Hyman Robertson’s online Learning Academy, before each Pension Board meeting.  It was envisaged that the timing would result in all Members being fully trained and compliant with legislation within 12 months.  It was stressed that if the strategy were adopted the 12-month timescale commenced immediately. If Members could inform the report contact of their completion of the modules he would maintain a record of achievements.

It was reported that links to the TRP Public Sector tool kit had been sent to Members and could be resent on request. All Members had been registered for the Hymans Robertson’s training and would receive links directly. 

Members acknowledged and welcomed the training opportunities and appreciated the ability to access training on line.  In response they were advised that physical attendance at events could be facilitated, if requested, to allow them the opportunity to network and learn from others.  

A Member suggested completing the Fundamentals Training as it provided an introduction to the modules to be completed. 

Members were reminded to complete the Pension Scam module and provide learning certificates to the report contact to enable him to confirm that the module had been undertaken.

Resolved –

That the West Yorkshire Pension Fund Knowledge and Skills Training Strategy, appended to Document “E”, be adopted as the formal commitment to meeting the requirement to demonstrate the knowledge and skills of the LGPS and to assist the scheme manager as defined by the Public Services Pensions Act 2013. 

Action: Director, West Yorkshire Pension Fund