Contact: David Wilson, ext 7407

1. Introduction

1.1 The Pension Fund's seventh Annual General Meeting was held in the Hampshire Record Office cinema on Tuesday 21 September 2004. 31 of the Fund's employers (15% of the total) were represented, down on the previous year when 41 bodies sent delegates. The majority of the principal local authorities were attended, although it is disappointing to note that East Hampshire, Fareham, Rushmoor, Test Valley and Winchester councils failed to send any delegates. Other major employers attending included Hampshire Police Authority, the University of Portsmouth and 20 other scheduled and admission bodies.

1.2 Last year's meeting had shown a healthy increase from 18% to 22% in organisations represented, so this year's attendance at only 15% was surprising, particularly at a time when pensions issues have such a high public profile.

1.3 Nonetheless, feedback from those who attended the meeting has been positive. All those who commented stated that they had found the meeting useful and informative. The presentations by the County Treasurer and Deutsche were well received. There was a lively discussion, particularly on the Fund's solvency position, the merits of FRS 17, and prospects for employers' contribution rates following the forthcoming actuarial valuation.

2. Venue for 2005

2.1 Comments made both at the meeting and subsequently suggest that the venue is no longer adequate, and this may have discouraged some from attending. Parking near the Records Office has become increasingly difficult. Despite efforts to encourage delegates to travel by public transport, it is clear that for many member employers this is inconvenient and impractical. It is also unlikely that the reception area used for registration and coffee at the Records Office will be available next year. The reception area is also too small.

2.2 Accordingly, the County Treasurer has investigated alternative venues in the centre of the county for the AGM and made a provisional booking for Thursday 22 September 2005 at Westley Court, part of the Wessex Centre at Sparsholt College of Agriculture. Parking there will not be a problem. A buffet lunch will be offered to encourage attendance.

3. Conclusion

3.1 Overall, the AGM continues to form 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. This will shortly be supplemented by the co-option of two new representatives on the Panel, one for the two city councils (Portsmouth and Southampton), and one for the 11 district councils.

3.2 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. It is also an essential part of the Fund's evolving communication strategy. Item 10 of this Agenda refers to the proposal to require the Fund to produce a Communication Policy Statement by 1 April 2006. The AGM will be an important element of this.

Recommendations

1 That the booking of Westley Court at Sparsholt College of Agriculture on Thursday 22 September 2005 for the next AGM be approved.

2 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.