Northern Ireland Assembly Flax Flower Logo

Minutes

43rd Meeting of the Pension Trustees held on Tuesday 16th June 2009

Present:
Mr D McClarty
Mr J Wells
Mr T Lunn

Apologies:
Mr J Dallat
Mrs M O’Neill
Mr G Ballantine (Government Actuary’s Department)
Mr A Spooner (M&G Investments)

In the Chair:
Mr D McClarty

In attendance:
Ms S Lappin, Mrs L Anderson, Mr H Clarke, Mrs J Beattie

1. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS TRUSTEES MEETING

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting and introduced Jean Beattie, a new member of the Pensions Administration Team. Apologies were received from Mr Ballantine and Mr Spooner, both of whom will be invited to the next meeting. The minutes of the Trustee meeting held on 19 May 2009 were agreed.

Action required:

2. STANDING ITEMS

Risk Register

There have been no changes to the risk register since the last meeting.

3. MATTERS ARISING

Evaluation of Trustee Training

The Trustees agreed that the training held on 19 May 2009 was very useful and it was agreed that management would look at future training solutions.

Action required:

Challenge to the Scheme

The Trustees were informed that the complainant has accepted the offer in line with the agreed terms. The Trustees requested that a summary of the legal costs in respect of the defence of the complaint be provided for the next meeting.

Actions required:
Administrative Support to the Trustees

It was agreed at the previous meeting that a paper on the future provision of administrative support would be prepared for discussion. Work is still ongoing on the future provision of administration support, therefore it has been decided by management to defer discussion until the next meeting to allow full consideration of this issue.

Action Required:
Increased Accrual Rate

The Trustees were informed that to date 34 Members have opted to revert to the lower fiftieths accrual rate. New Members to the Assembly will be on the higher accrual rate with the option to opt for the lower rate.

Pensions Internal Audit

The Trustees noted the Internal Audit report and the recommendations to be implemented.

Action Required:
Service Level Agreement with GAD

The SLA with GAD was agreed and signed.

Action Required:
PM’s Review of Parliamentary Pensions

A draft response to SSRB was discussed and approved for release by the Trustees

Action Required:

4. ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS

The Trustees approved the draft Annual Report and Accounts and agreed that it be forwarded to the Northern Ireland Audit Office (NIAO).

Action Required:

5. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Freedom of Information (FOI) Request

An FOI request has been received in relation to former members pension details. The trustees discussed the information and agreed that the information should not be provided in this case as there was a possibility that individuals could be identified. It was agreed that aggregate information already published or due to be published should be provided as a response.

The Trustees also asked Pensions Administration Section to contact the Assembly’s FOI Unit to determine whether the Pension Fund would be responsible for any legal costs arising from challenges to FOI decisions.

Action Required:

6. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

The Trustees agreed to meet on Tuesday 15 September at 9am

Action Required:

19 May 2009 / Menu