Agendas, reports and minutes

Dear Member

A joint meeting of the Pensions Committee and Pension Board will take place in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Thursday 4 September, 2025 at 10.30am.

You are invited to attend the meeting and a note of the business to be considered is attached.

Webcast Notice: This meeting will be filmed and broadcast over the internet on the Highland Council website and will be archived and available for viewing for 12 months thereafter.

Yours faithfully

Stewart Fraser
Chief Officer - Legal & Corporate Governance 

Business

1. Apologies for Absence
Leisgeulan    
        
2. Declarations of Interest/Transparency Statement
Foillseachaidhean Com-pàirt/Aithris Fhollaiseachd

Members are asked to consider whether they have an interest to declare in relation to any item on the agenda for this meeting.  Any Member making a declaration of interest should provide some information on the nature of the interest and leave the meeting at the appropriate time.  Advice may be sought from officers prior to the meeting taking place.    
        
3. Recess Powers
Cumhachdan Fosaidh

The Committee is asked to note that the Recess Powers granted by the Council at its meeting on 26 June 2025 have not been exercised in respect of this Committee.     
        
4. Governance Policy 2025/26
Aithris Poileasaidh Riaghlaidh 2025/26

There is circulated Report No. PC/6/25 by the Chief Officer, Corporate Finance.

The Committee is asked to approve the Highland Pension Fund Governance Policy.    
        
5. Training Policy and Training Plan 2025/26
Poileasaidh Trèanaidh agus Plana Trèanaidh 2025/26

There is circulated Report No. PC/7/25 by the Chief Officer, Corporate Finance.

The Committee is asked to:-

i.   note the LGPS Skills and Knowledge Statement (Appendix 2), which was adopted by the HPF in September 2022 in accordance with the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) Code of Practice Knowledge and Skills (2021); 
ii.  note the HPF’s approach to training (section 8) which incorporates the CIPFA Knowledge and Skills Framework core areas (Appendix 3) and the CIPFA self-assessment matrix (section 7 and Appendix 4);
iii. note the training resources provided by The Pensions Regulator (TPR) alongside the recommendation from the Scottish Public Pensions Agency (SPPA) that Board and Committee members should be required to complete TPR training as part of their induction (section 9);
iv. note the requirements of TPR General Code of Practice (GCoP) (section 10) and results from formal audit to assess skills/knowledge and experience against the Knowledge and Skills Framework and schedule appropriate training, in accordance with best practice (section 7);
v.  note the training delivered to date on pension fund matters (section 11 and Appendix 5) and that details of attendance are included in the Annual report and accounts (section 13); and 
vi. agree the training policy and programme for 2025/26 set out within the report (section 12).    
        
6. Pension Fund Administration 
Tabhartasan agus Rianachd Maoin Peinnsein

There is circulated Report No. PC/8/25 by the Chief Officer, Corporate Finance.

The Committee is asked to consider the report and note the following:-

i.   update on the Member Self Service (Engage) and Altair Pensioner Payroll projects (section 6);
ii.  action being taken by officers to ensure HPF compliance with The Pension Regular (TPR) General Code of Practice and reporting in respect incorporating the McCloud remedy into Annual Benefits Statements (section 7);
iii. current HPF administration performance and action being taken to improve performance, with regular updates to be provided to Pensions Committee on an ongoing basis (section 8);
iv. update on the Pensions Bill 2024/25 (England and Wales) (section 9). Note that the Pensions Bill does not apply to Scotland and this update is provided for information only;
v.  update on HPF Annual Report and Accounts 2024/25 and progress of the external audit being undertaken by Audit Scotland (section 12); and
vi. update on progress on implementing and testing connection to the Pension Dashboard (section 16).
        
7. Internal Audit Reports
In-Sgrùdadh
    
7.a Pension Fund Internal Audit Annual Report 2024/25
Aithisg Bhliadhnail In-Sgrùdaidh Maoin Peinnsein Chomhairle na Gàidhealtachd 2024/25

There is circulated Report No. PC/9/25 by the Strategic Lead, Corporate Audit.

The Committee is asked to note the content of the report, the audit opinion provided and to raise any relevant points with the Strategic Lead, Corporate Audit.
    
7.b Pension Fund Governance Arrangements 
Ullachaidhean Riaghlachas Maoin Peinnsein

There is circulated Report No. PC/10/25 by the Strategic Lead, Corporate Audit.

The Committee is asked to note the content of the report, the audit opinion provided and to raise any relevant points with the Strategic Lead, Corporate Audit.
        
8. Risk Management Update 2025/26
Fios às Ùr mu Rianachd Chunnairt 2025/26

There is circulated Report No. PC/11/25 by the Chief Officer, Corporate Finance.

The Committee is asked to:-

i.  note the updated risk register extract; and
ii. consider whether any additional risks need to be added to the register.