Contact: David Wilson, ext 7407

With the concurrence of the Chairman under Section 100(B)(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972, this matter has been included on the Agenda to ensure the most up-to-date information is brought to the attention of the Panel.

1. Introduction

1.1 The appointments of E. W. Hughes, pensioner representative, Derek Offord, employee representative, and Phillip Reynolds, deputy employee representative, terminated on 31 March 2006.

1.2 This report recommends that all three appointments should be extended for a further year to 31 March 2007, when the current review of the Fund's management arrangements will have been completed. All three representatives have confirmed that they are happy to continue for a further year. It also recommends that the County Treasurer be authorised to carry out a formal review of these appointments, and report back to the Panel with recommendations on how to proceed at its business meeting on 17 November 2006.

1.3 At its meeting on 26 May 2005, the Panel co-opted Councillor Tom Blair to represent the unitary city councils of Portsmouth and Southampton. Councillor Blair was a Labour and Co-operative member of Portsmouth City Council. His appointment was to run until April 2007, when Southampton City Council would be asked to nominate a replacement. Councillor Blair lost his seat at last week's local government elections, so cannot continue in his role on the Panel. It is recommended that the Panel endorses the County Treasurer's action in asking the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Local Government Association to liaise with Portsmouth and Southampton City Councils with a view to replacing Councillor Blair as soon as possible. The County Treasurer will arrange training as appropriate when a nomination has been made and approved by the Panel.

2. The pensioner and employee representatives

2.1 E. W. Hughes and Derek Offord were appointed as pensioner and employee representatives respectively with effect from April 1994. All pensioners were invited to apply for the pensioner representative post. E. W. Hughes was appointed following interview by the Panel. Derek Offord was nominated by UNISON following a consultation with the staff side unions. No maximum period of appointment was set at the time.

2.2 In April 2000, following a request from Derek Offord, the Panel appointed a deputy employee representative, Phillip Reynolds, Head of Pay and Administration at Gosport Borough Council, who was also nominated by UNISON.

2.3 There have been three reviews of the original appointments since 1994. The last review took place in November 2003, when it was agreed that the appointments should be extended until March 2006.

2.4 However, in view of the complexity of the current review of the Fund's investment management arrangements, it is suggested that it would not be appropriate to consider new appointments until after the exercise has been completed later this year, as any replacements would require training.

2.5 Nonetheless, arrangements need to be made for a formal review of all three appointments well in advance of March 2007. The Panel may therefore wish to authorise the County Treasurer to undertake such an exercise following the completion of the investment management review, and report back to the Panel at its business meeting on 17 November 2006, which is likely to be the final meeting before the end of March 2007.

Recommendations

1 That the appointment of Derek Offord as employee representative be extended until 31 March 2007.

2 That the appointment of E. W. Hughes as pensioner representative be extended until 31 March 2007.

3 That the appointment of Phillip Reynolds as deputy employee representative be extended until 31 March 2007.

4 That the County Treasurer be given the delegated power to carry out a full review of all three appointments following the finalisation of the Fund's new investment management arrangements, and report back with recommendations to the Panel's business meeting on 17 November 2006.

5 That the Panel endorses the County Treasurer's action in asking the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Local Government Association to nominate a new representative of Portsmouth and Southampton City Councils as a replacement for Councillor Tom Blair.

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.