Local Pensions Member Schools – Substitute Member Required

HCC are seeking a substitute governor member to the HCC Local Pensions Board.  Board members will be paid reasonable expenses for their attendance at board meetings.  If you would like to be considered as the member to represent schools and employers on the Local Pension Board then please send a CV together with a completed Expression of Interest Form setting out your relevant skills and experience to catherine.tallis@nullhertfordshire.gov.uk no later than 21/10/15.

• EoI Substitute Local Pensions Member Schools

Background Details

Hertfordshire County Council established a Local Pension Board at the beginning of the Financial Year 2015/16. Regulations required all local administering authorities to establish a Local Pension Board by 1 April 2015, and the Board to be operational within four months of establishment. The Hertfordshire County Council Pension Board is part of the governance arrangements for the Hertfordshire Pension Fund as an oversight body. The Pension Board will is responsible for assisting the Administering Authority or Scheme Manager in securing compliance with:

• The Local Government Pension Scheme Regulations;
• Any other legislation relating to the governance and administration of the Pension Fund;
• Requirements imposed by The Pensions Regulator in relation to the Pension Fund; and
• Ensuring the effective governance and administration of the Pension Fund.

The constitution of the Hertfordshire Board includes a member and substitute member to represent schools and employers.  It was agreed by Schools Forum earlier in 2015 that members will be nominated by them.  The current substitute member has taken up the role of member and Schools Forum is now inviting applications from School Staff and Governors interested in becoming the substitute member.

Ideally the substitute member will have knowledge and understanding of public sector pensions and the Local Government Pension Scheme.

It is proposed that members of the board will serve for a term of four years and that a board member can sit on the Board for no more than three terms of office.

Board members will be paid reasonable expenses for their attendance at board meetings.

If you would like to be considered as the member to represent schools and employers on the Local Pension Board then please send a CV together with a completed Expression of Interest Form setting out your relevant skills and experience to catherine.tallis@nullhertfordshire.gov.uk no later than 21/10/15.

The appointment process is by invitation to any interested and suitably qualified school staff and governors, with the final appointment being approved by the Chair and Vice Chair of Forum based on a recommendation from Hertfordshire County Council’s Pensions, Treasury and Client Team. The Pensions, Treasury and Client Team will review expressions of interest and CV’s make a recommendation based on the experience and skills detailed in the expressions of interest and CVs. The nomination of the substitute member will be at the discretion of the Chair and Vice Chair of Schools Forum and will be subject to approval by the Deputy Chief Executive.

Role Description

1. Role and responsibilities of the Pensions Board/Substitute member:

1.1 The members of the Local Pension Board will assist Hertfordshire County Council as Scheme Manager:-

• To secure compliance with the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) regulations;
• any other legislation relating to the governance and administration of the Scheme;
• To secure compliance with requirements imposed by The Pension Regulator in relation to the Scheme; and
• In such other matters as the LGPS regulations may specify;
• To secure the effective and efficient governance and administration of the LGPS for the Hertfordshire Pension Fund;
• To Provide ongoing evaluation of the governance, delivery and monitoring mechanisms of the LGPS administrator, the LPFA, and recommend improvements where required so that members and employers interests are safeguarded;
• To ensure the scheme administrator, the LPFA, supports members with a range of tools to improve their understanding of their pension benefits;
• To provide the scheme manager with such information as it requires ensuring that any member of the Pension Board or person to be appointed to the Pension Board does not have a conflict of interest.

1.2 As a member of the Pension Board you will help ensure that the Hertfordshire Pension Fund is managed and administered effectively and efficiently and complies with the code of practice on the governance and administration of public service pension schemes issued by the Pension Regulator.

2. Qualities required for the role of a Pensions Board member

2.1 To be considered, you must be able to demonstrate that you have the qualities, skills and experience to meet all the essential criteria for appointment, specifically:

• You must be a member of the Hertfordshire Pension Fund or represent an active employer body;
• You must have a good knowledge of public sector pensions and the capacity/ability to undertake additional learning specifically with regards to the Local Government Pension Scheme;
• You must be aware of the requirements of The Pension Regulator’s public service schemes Code of Practice;
• You should be able to comprehend financial reports and data;
• You must be able to act impartially in the interests of both employers and members;
• You must be able to act prudently, responsibly and honestly;
• You must be an effective communicator and team player to promote excellent working relationships within the Local pension Board and gain the confidence of its stakeholders including the Scheme manager.
• You must be able to commit to a term of membership of four years.

2.2 You must be able to attend up to four meetings each year and up to two training sessions each year.