The Director presented the 2024-25 Governance Meetings and Training Calendar to the Board for review and approval. This outlines the agendas based on regular flow of work and will evolve as required.

The Independent Advisor asked how the Authority plans to share the results of the Independent Governance Review with the Board.

The Director responded that the Authority should expect the results around June and once received, a joint session for members of the Pension Board and Authority Board will be arranged to discuss these and help to shape the actions taken by the Authority. If this is completed in June this can then be brought to the Board meeting in August and the Authority meeting in September.

Action – the Authority to arrange a joint session for members of the Pension Board and Authority Board in June to discuss the results of the Independent Governance Review to help shape the actions taken by the Authority.

Action – the Authority to update page 74 of the report to amend errors on the days and dates which don’t match and reframe the wording to make it clear which training meetings each Board need to attend, and which seminars are open to the Board as the topics are relevant.

Members sought assurance on how the Authority ensures new members have the appropriate skill and knowledge to comply with the increasing regulation.

The Director responded that a there is a mandatory minimum level of training which new members must undertake in their first year, this provides a base level of understanding alongside attending meetings which are learning opportunities for members.

The Authority provides as much training as any other fund alongside focusing on building knowledge around relevant issues shortly before these arise in meetings to prepare members.

The general guidance is for members to undertake between 15 and 25 hours of training per year and the Authority aims to meet this requirement.

Members of the Board further asked if it would be helpful to have a similar Member induction session ahead of the first Board meeting of the year like the Authority Board.

Action – The Authority to explore whether a member induction session is viable ahead of the first Board meeting of the year.

RESOLVED: Members approved the 2024/25 Local Pension Board Meetings Calendar and Outline Work Programme at Appendix A.