Agenda item

A report outlines the requirements for Local Pension Board Members to been conversant with the LGPS scheme, its regulations and to have a training plan in place to ensure specific training needs are met.

The Board is asked to note the proposed basis for the development of a training policy as outlined in paragraphs 20 to 28 and that a programme be tabled for approval at the October meeting.

A report was presented which outlined the requirements for Local Pension Board Members to be conversant with the LGPS scheme, its regulations and to have a training plan in place to ensure specific training needs would be met.

Members agreed that the self-assessment form would be a useful tool initially to identify priority areas for training. It was considered useful to follow the same training plan as the  Wiltshire Pension Fund Committee (WPFC) but commented that these members should be encouraged to attend as they were not obliged to undertake training. Members supported the development of a handbook as a reference point following training sessions and the Chairman encouraged members to keep a record of all related training undertaken to pass on to David Anthony.

Resolved:

To endorse the basis for the development of a training plan outlined in paragraphs 20 to 28 of the report with the following additional recommendations:

·         That training plans are aligned with the Workplans for the Board;

·         To continuously review training plans with an aspiration to have all Board members fully trained within 12 months;

·         To share training events with the Pension Fund where possible to support a positive working relationship and save resource;

·         That training policies embrace flexible ways of learning;

·         That the Head of Pensions take responsibility for ensuring the knowledge and understanding framework is developed and implemented.

·         That Board members are encouraged to pass details of any additional training/conference attended to Head of Pensions to include in the training logs.