Agenda item

Report of: Vicki Green, Pension Services Manager

The Board are invited to review the latest Administration Report as presented to the Pension Fund Committee on 12 December 2025, including the latest performance statistics for the service and an update on staffing.

Vicki Green, Pension Services Manager presented the Administration Report, presented to the Pension Fund Committee on 12 December 2025 which included the latest performance statistics for the service. She advised of the following:

·       There had been an increase in outstanding cases due to a data project that improved transparency but revealed a backlog. The team completed 84% of work within service level agreements, with ongoing efforts to improve efficiency.

·       A consultation was launched with employers to align service level targets with national key performance indicators, with responses focusing on fines, engagement, and timescales. Adjustments are being made to address employer feedback.

·       The new member portal, Engage, was set to go live, offering improved user experience and security. A soft launch was planned, with phased communication to members to encourage re-registration.

·       The Board were informed of the ongoing recruitment challenges, with currently nine vacancies, and an increased reliance on agency staff to cover support roles.  She reported that senior positions were more difficult to fill, and a mass recruitment project was underway with the Council’s talent team.

The Board raised their concerns regarding staff wellbeing and retention during the ongoing issues with staff recruitment and retention, and Mark Smith, Head of Pensions advised that there were known issues across the LGPS, however continued to project a supportive culture whilst acknowledging the sector wide pressures.  Vicki Green added that whilst the implementation of new systems would ultimately save time in the long run, the team were aware of the additional pressures and time in setting these up which had added to the availability of resources.

The Board noted the report.