The Pension Fund Committee and Pension Board of Scottish Borders Council are scheduled to convene on Thursday, 17 September 2026. The meeting's agenda includes a review of the Pension Fund's financial performance and operational policies, alongside updates on investment strategies and risk management.

Pension Fund Risk Register Update

A report by the Chief Officer Audit & Risk is scheduled for consideration, providing an update on the Pension Fund's Risk Register. This will cover the Governance and National Policy/Regulations categories of risks, following the review undertaken on 1 and 3 September 2026. The report will detail identified risks, their management, and current status.

Final Annual Report and Accounts 2025/26

The Director of Finance will present the Final Annual Report and Accounts for the Pension Fund for the year ending 31 March 2026. This report, which will be issued as a supplementary item, provides a comprehensive overview of the Fund's financial performance and position. The independent auditor's report from Audit Scotland is expected to be included, confirming the audit of the accounts.

General Code of Practice Compliance Tracker

A report by the Director of Finance will be considered regarding the General Code of Practice Compliance Tracker. This tracker, developed following the introduction of The Pension Regulator's (TPR) General Code in March 2024, assesses the Pension Fund's adherence to governance and operational standards. The report will outline the progress made towards full compliance, including any outstanding actions required to meet regulatory expectations.

Pension Fund Budget Monitoring to 30 June 2026

The Director of Finance will present a report detailing the Pension Fund's budget performance up to 30 June 2026. This report will include projections to 31 March 2027 and an analysis of the cash flow position. The budget is categorised into Investment Management, Administration, and Oversight and Governance costs, with the report indicating that all expenses are currently in line with projections.

Communication Policy Review

A review of the Communication Policy will be presented by the Director People, Performance and Change. This annual review, in line with the Pension Fund's business plan and The Pensions Regulator's General Code of Practice, will highlight changes made to the policy, including updates to stakeholder references, the Member Self Service portal, and the introduction of AI awareness in communications. The report will also note the continued usefulness of the Pension Fund website and the ongoing review of forms and documentation.

Admission Policy Review

The Director People, Performance and Change will present a review of the Pension Admission Policy. This is the first review since its inception in 2019 and aligns with the Pension Fund's business plan and The Pensions Regulator's General Code of Practice. The report will detail amendments made to the policy, including updates to reflect the 2018 Regulations and references to the current Funding Strategy Statement.

Overpayment Policy Review

A review of the Overpayment Policy will be presented by the Director People, Performance and Change. This policy, first introduced in 2022 following a recommendation from Audit Scotland, outlines procedures for managing pension overpayments. The report will detail changes made to the policy, including updates to prevention measures, monitoring of pensioner deaths, and the process for recovering overpayments.

Information Update

A briefing paper by the Director of Finance will provide an update on various monitored areas and ongoing work within the Pension Fund. This includes information on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in pensions administration, updates on the Annual Benefit Statements, progress on the 2026 Triennial Valuation, and ongoing efforts in responsible investing and ESG considerations. The briefing will also cover cyber security updates and available training opportunities.

Pension Fund Investment and Performance Sub-Committee Minutes

The Committee and Board will consider the minutes from the Pension Fund Investment and Performance Sub-Committee meeting held on 22 June 2026.

Quarter Performance Update

A report by Isio is scheduled for consideration, providing an update on the Pension Fund's performance.

Equity Manager Selection Exercise - Active and Passive/Passive Plus

A report by Isio concerning the selection exercise for equity managers, covering both active and passive/passive plus strategies, will be presented.

Implementation Statement

Isio will present an Implementation Statement, detailing the execution of investment strategies.

Investment Strategy Review - Step 1: Key Themes and Considerations

The initial step of the Investment Strategy Review will be presented by Isio, focusing on key themes and considerations.