Agenda and minutes

The Chairman announced that the press and members of the public were permitted to film and broadcast the meeting. Those remaining at the meeting were consenting to being filmed and recorded, and to the possible use of those images and recording for broadcasting purposes.

To receive any apologies for absence.

Councillors Carter, Gibson, Giddings and Glen sent their apologies.

All Members who believe they have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting must declare that interest and, having regard to Part 3 Paragraph 1.5 of the County Council's Members’ Code of Conduct, leave the meeting while the matter is discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with Paragraph 1.6 of the Code.  Furthermore all Members with a Personal Interest in a matter being considered at the meeting should consider, having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 4 of the Code, whether such interest should be declared, and having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 5 of the Code, consider whether it is appropriate to leave the meeting while the matter is discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with the Code.

Members were mindful that where they believed they had a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in any matter considered at the meeting they must declare that interest at the time of the relevant debate and, having regard to the circumstances described in Part 3, Paragraph 1.5 of the County Council's Members' Code of Conduct, leave the meeting while the matter was discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with Paragraph 1.6 of the Code.  Furthermore Members were mindful that where they believed they had a Non-Pecuniary interest in a matter being considered at the meeting they considered whether such interest should be declared, and having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 2 of the Code, considered whether it was appropriate to leave the meeting whilst the matter was discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with the Code.

To confirm the Minutes of the meeting held on 7 July 2017.

The minutes of the Pension Fund Panel and Board held on 7 July 2017 were confirmed.

To receive any announcements the Chairman may wish to make.

The Chairman and Dr Allen provided a summary of the main topics covered at the Local Government Chronicle pensions conference.

The Chairman and Mrs Arrowsmith provided brief feedback from the Schroders autumn conference.

The Chairman thanked all of the full members of the committee for completing their training needs analyses and reminded the committee that the Pension Fund’s annual employers meeting was taking place on 13 October 2017.

To consider the report of the Director of Corporate Resources-Corporate Services outlining the impact of the implementation of the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID).

The Panel considered a report of the Director of Corporate Resources (item 5 in the Minute Book) outlining the impact of the implementation of the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID II) and in particular the risk to the Fund’s investment strategy if the administering authority were to become a retail client on 3 January 2018 under the new regulations. In order to continue to effectively implement the Fund’s investment strategy after the new regulations take effect, applications for election to be treated as a professional client should be submitted to all financial institutions with whom the administering authority has an existing or potential relationship in relation to the investment of the Fund.

RESOLVED:

(a)  That the potential impact on investment strategy of becoming a retail client with effect from 3 January 2018 was noted.

(b)  That the immediate commencement of applications for elected professional client status with all relevant institutions in order to ensure it can continue to implement an effective investment strategy was approved.

(c)  That in electing for professional client status the protections available to retail clients attached as Appendix 1 of the report that would be foregone were acknowledged and agreed.

(d)  That the importance of the identification and participation in training by Panel and Board members in the Pension Fund securing elected professional client status was noted.

(e)  That delegated responsibility to the Director of Corporate Resources for the purpose of completing the applications and determining the basis of the application as either full or single service was approved.

To consider a report from the Director of Corporate Resources-Corporate Services  providing an overview of the costs of managing the Pension Fund in 2016/17.

            The Panel and Board considered and noted a report of the Director of Corporate Resources (item 6 in the Minute Book) on the costs of managing the Pension Fund in the financial year 2016/17. Costs were disclosed according to the three categories specified in CIPFA’s guidance on Pension Fund Accounts; investment management costs, administration expenses and oversight and governance costs.

            The Panel and Board noted that while the cost of managing the Pension Fund was significant, it was low in comparison to the overall size of the Pension Fund and in line with Hampshire’s position as one of the largest LGPS funds. It was highlighted that investment management costs had increased in percentage terms, due to the large transition between the Fund’s global equity portfolios and the increased allocation to alternative investments, some of which were now able to charge a fee based on their investment performance which had exceeded the base levels set out in the funds’ agreements.

That in relation to the following items the press and public be excluded from the meeting, as it is likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of proceedings, that if a member of the public were present during the items there would be disclosure to them of exempt information within Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, and further that in all circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exempt information outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information, for the reasons set out in the report.

RESOLVED:

            That the public be excluded from the meeting during the following items of business, as it is likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the public were present during these items there would be disclosure to them of exempt information within Paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, and further that in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information, for the reasons set out in the reports. 

To confirm the exempt minutes of the meeting held on 7 July 2017.

The exempt minutes of the Pension Fund Panel and Board held on 7 July 2017 were confirmed.

To consider an exempt appendix from the Director of Corporate Resources-Corporate Services on the costs of managing the Pension Fund in 2016/17.

The Panel and Board noted the exempt appendix from the Director of Corporate Resources (Item 9) in the Minute Book) detailing the Fund’s investment management costs.  [SUMMARY OF A MINUTE WHICH CONTAINS EXEMPT INFORMATION]

To consider a report of the Director of Corporate Resources-Corporate Services outlining the current arrangements for providing external advice to the Pension Fund Panel and Board and seeking the Panel and Board’s views on whether any changes should be made to improve the advice and support available.

The Panel and Board considered the exempt report from the Director of Corporate Resources (Item 10 in the Minute Book) to consider the advice provided to the Pension Fund Panel and Board.  [SUMMARY OF A MINUTE WHICH CONTAINS EXEMPT INFORMATION]

To consider an exempt report of the Director of Corporate Resources - Corporate Services updating the Panel and Board on the Pension Fund’s investments since the last meeting of the Pension Fund Panel and Board on 7 July 2017.

The Panel and Board considered the exempt report from the Director of Corporate Resources (Item 11 in the Minute Book) updating the Panel and Board about the progress of the Pension Fund’s investments.  [SUMMARY OF A MINUTE WHICH CONTAINS EXEMPT INFORMATION]

To consider the exempt report of the Director of Corporate Resources - Corporate Services updating the Pension Fund Panel and Board on the progress of the alternative investments portfolio.

The Panel and Board received an exempt report from the Director of Corporate Resources (Item 12 in the Minute Book) updating the Panel and Board on the Fund’s alternative investment portfolios.  [SUMMARY OF A MINUTE WHICH CONTAINS EXEMPT INFORMATION]