Agenda item

To consider a report on administration statistics and employer compliance with end of month reporting and payment deadlines for the year 2020-21 to date, and to be advised on any complaints recorded and potential breaches of the law identified since the last meeting.

A summary was given of the total membership, aggregate of membership for the previous year and the figures for the last five years to show the trends. There had been some changes due to data cleansing as part of the data improvement plan. Confirmation was given that there was no liability on those frozen and which were due a refund. A decision was being sought, as to the use of a tracing agent prior to writing off. The value of the frozen refunds is not significant; confirmation of the value would be included in a report to the next meeting.

The i-Connect project implementation had been successful, with good engagement with employers; 26 employers (79 per cent) were now live on the system, and engagement continues with remaining employers.

A meeting had been with the fund’s software provider to develop the data and software requirements for the McCloud remedy project, and an implementation document was being prepared. Legislation implementing the remedy for the LGPS had not yet been laid before Parliament, so the final work plan cannot yet be determined.

Members noted the final report in respect of the GMP reconciliation project from Mercer (formerly JLT). Officers still needed to review the final report, and discuss the decisions to be made in terms of tolerances and the treatment of potential under- and over-paid historical benefits with the Section 151 officer. A report would be prepared for the Board to agree due process was followed before being presented to the Committee.

Members noted the key performance indicators (KPI) report. From the good governance report, a standard set of performance indicators for administration and governance review would be recommended to MHCLG in order to readily compare with other local authority schemes. As new systems are developed, and recommendations come from the report, the council would adapt its KPI reporting.

No issues were noted in relation to employer compliance with submission deadlines, and there were no complaints or breaches to record for this meeting.

Some research was being carried out into providing online payslips and P60s for pensioners. Letters and preference forms had been sent out to 5,500 people seeking their preferred communication method. A good response had been received; in the previous two months, member self-service sign up had increased by 400 for pensioners.

RESOLVED:

THAT the report from the administration team be noted.