Contact: David Wilson, ext 7407

1. The Pension Fund's sixth AGM was held in the Hampshire Record Office cinema on 16 September 2003. 41 of the Fund's employers (21% of the total) were represented, very slightly down on the previous year when 42 bodies sent delegates. All of the principal local authorities were represented apart from Test Valley Borough Council. Other major employers attending included Hampshire Police Authority, The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Magistrates Courts Committee, the University of Portsmouth and 25 other scheduled and admitted bodies.

2. Last year's meeting had shown a healthy increase of from 18% to 22% in organisations represented, so this year's attendance has at least maintained that level, particularly amongst the major employers. Efforts will continue to improve the attendance level for next year's AGM.

3. Nevertheless, feedback from those who attended the meeting has all been positive. All those who commented stated that they had found the meeting useful and informative. The presentations by the County Treasurer and Savills were well received. There was also more general discussion than in previous years, particularly on the Fund's solvency position, FRS 17, and prospects for employers' contribution rates following the forthcoming actuarial valuation.

4. Overall, the AGM forms an important part of the Fund's communication strategy, which includes the Annual Report, the annual leaflet for pensioners and contributors, the pensioners' newsletter, and the employee and pensioner representatives on the Panel. These initiatives all enable the Fund to comply with best practice as recommended by the Government, in the Myners Report, and by the Local Government Pensions Committee.

Recommendation

1 That the Panel note this report.

Section 100 D - Local Government Act 1972 - background papers

The following documents disclose facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report.

NB the list excludes:

Published works.

Documents which disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act.

TITLE FILE

None.