The report of the Director, West Yorkshire Pension Fund (Document “B”) will be submitted to the Joint Advisory Group to provide Members with an update on West Yorkshire Pension Fund’s (WYPF) pensions administration activities for the period 1 January 2022 to 30 June 2022.

Recommended –

That the report be noted.

(Yunus Gajra – 01274 432343)

The report of the Director, West Yorkshire Pension Fund (Document “B”) was submitted to the Group to provide details of activities relating to the administration of the fund in the preceding 6 months.

In addition to providing pensions administration for WYPF scheme members, WYPF provided a full administration service to Lincolnshire Pension Fund, the London Borough of Hounslow and more recently the London Borough of Barnet and to 23 Fire Authorities. This included pensioner payroll (except for the London Borough of Hounslow), all member and scheme level events, reporting to statutory bodies, provision of data to external bodies such as actuaries, and local authorities for the production of the scheme accounts.  

The report contained a number of appendices that broke activities down into categories.

Officers stated that most KPI’s were being met despite ongoing staffing shortages which was a credit to the staff in post.  Some targets, however, had been affected and a narrative was provided in relation to these.  The investment in process automation would contribute to reductions in output deficit, but due to the increased number of members, the work load would be sustained.

Some hi-lights from the report were shared with Members including the member survey, employer training to ensure good quality and timely submitted data. Disputes which were low in comparison with the size of the fund, hybrid working, which had been fully implemented with a 2/3 day split between working from home and attendance in the office.

A letter that had been written to Prudential was also shared regarding the ongoing issues around service delivery, which was a national one, not just a problem for WYPF members. Two more fire authorities had come on board and annual benefit statements (ABS) had been sent out with 96.2% of active members and 99.2% of deferred members statements being dispatched on time. 

Arising from a Bradford Council internal audit, the 5 recommendations made had all been implemented.

Members were then given the opportunity to ask questions or to comment.  The details of which and the responses given are as below.

·                From the ABS sent electronically, was there any tracking done to see if they had been accessed by members?  Officers advised that a software solution to address this had been sought from Civica.  There was no indication as to what data could be provided, but in the interim, Members would be encouraged to access the portal

·                The improvements required from Prudential had taken a long time, what actions or recourse was available to get them on track?  Officers advised that the Fund could switch providers, which was already being investigated and a report would be submitted at the next meeting.

·                The number of unfilled vacancies was raised as was the rising level of sickness absence.  Was this an indicator that staff were starting to succumb to the extra pressure?  Officers advised that some figures related to long term absence with 1 retirement due to ill health but sickness levels still compared favourably to the Council. Vacancy information would be added onto the report at the next meeting.

Resolved –

That the report be noted.

Action: Director, West Yorkshire Pension Fund