The Pensions Fund Committee of West Northamptonshire Council scheduled a meeting to discuss several key items, including the Northamptonshire Pension Fund's annual report, equality and diversity initiatives, and an update on connecting to the pensions dashboards. The agenda also included a review of the fund's administration and compliance.

Annual Report

The committee was scheduled to consider the Northamptonshire Pension Fund Annual Report for the Year Ended 31 March 2025. The report was divided into six sections: preface, financial performance, scheme administration, governance and training, investments, and actuarial information. Additions to the report included a value for money statement and details of any complaints received. The report was required to be published by 1 December 2025.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

The committee was scheduled to discuss a report on the Northamptonshire Pension Fund's Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) approach. The report set out the requirements of The Pensions Regulator (TPR) and the approach that the Northamptonshire Pension Fund had previously agreed to undertake in order to comply with those principles. The report provided an explanation of EDI and why it is important for the fund to adhere to a best practice approach. The report also included a proposed action plan with revised timescales to achieve compliance with TPR's EDI guidance.

Gender Pensions Gap

The committee was scheduled to discuss a report providing information regarding the Northamptonshire Pension Fund Gender Pensions Gap. The report stated that women, on average, retire with £69,000 in pension savings, compared to £205,000 for men, and that 67% of pensioners in poverty are women. The report was scheduled to include an analysis of the fund's data, possible causes of the gender pensions gap, and next steps to address the issue.

Pensions Dashboards

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on the progress made by the fund in connecting to the pension dashboards infrastructure, with a deadline of 31 October 2025. The report included a recommendation to approve the Data Matching Policy, which sets out the personal data required to achieve a full match and instant return of value data to an individual's dashboard. The report stated that the fund was working with its Additional Voluntary Contribution (AVC) providers Prudential and Standard Life to ensure members can easily access their details on the dashboard.

Administration Report

The committee was scheduled to discuss the administration report for the period 1 May to 31 July 2025. The report included updates on administrative performance, key performance indicators (KPIs), contribution monitoring, business plan activities, the budget position, the fund's risk register, and admissions and cessations. The report noted that 71% of KPIs were rated green, 12% amber, and 17% red, indicating overall performance levels. The report also noted that 100% of employer contributions for the reporting period were received on time, maintaining a consistent annual compliance rate of 100%. The report included a recommendation to note the admission of Fresh Start Catering Limited (Moulton Primary School) to the Northamptonshire Pension Fund and approve the sealing of the admission agreement. The report also included a recommendation to note the cessation of Southfield Primary School from Northamptonshire Pension Fund.

Governance and Compliance Report

The committee was scheduled to note the Governance and Compliance Report from Mark Whitby, Head of Pensions. The report provided information on significant current issues impacting the governance, management and administration of the Northamptonshire Pension Fund, including:

• LGPS England and Wales
• McCloud
• Pension Dashboards
• Scheme Advisory Board (SAB)
• The Pensions Ombudsman (TPO)
• Wider landscape
• Skills and knowledge opportunities The report also provided details of immaterial amendments made to policies or strategies as a result of officer reviews.

Other Business

The agenda for the meeting also included:

• Apologies for Absence
• Declarations of Interest
• Approval of the minutes from the meeting held on 21 July 2025
• Chair's Announcements
• Northamptonshire Pension Fund Forward Agenda
• Exclusion of Press and Public
• Private minutes of the last meeting
• Member Engagement Survey
• Fit for the Future Pooling Update
• Valuation Update
• Urgent Business