Agenda item

The Board considered a report setting out performance figures for Fund Administration for the three months to 31 March 2017.  The report also included progress on the TPR Data Improvement Plan and levels of employer compliance.

The following issues were discussed:

·  The admin team is now almost fully staffed which should lead to an improvement in performance once staff are fully trained and up to speed.

·  The number of open cases has reduced and this should improve further once resources are fully utilised and new ways of working are implemented.

·  The Board expressed concern at the number of errors in the March leaver forms.  Officers confirmed that the data received was not of sufficient quality.  They are looking at ways to simplify information required from employers, to regularly update electronic data, to make better use of technology and to reduce duplication.  Processes are currently being reviewed and streamlined.

·  Of the 31 employers who breached the data queries, exceeding 10% of membership levels set by the APF, 29 have undertaken the bespoke training workshop to improve performance.  The 2 employers who did not attend training were schools in an Academy Trust who had been fined. There had been problems engaging with these schools but progress was being made.

·  It was noted that churn was an issue as a large number of staff were moving to different employers. Officers are looking at ways to address this issue to avoid duplication of work.

·  Members queried whether the targets were set at the correct level.  Officers explained that budget pressures have been an issue but that performance should improve after the transition phase with new staff in place.

·  Officers agreed to speak to neighbouring pension fund administrators regarding an approach for reporting year end breaches.

·  Over the next six months Employer Forums will be held for each of the different sectors.

·  Members recommended that the 84% of employer organisations who did not attend the 2017 Employers’ Conference be asked the reason for non-attendance.

·  The Chairman expressed concern at the outstanding numbers of incomplete address details and recommended that this issue be addressed before the issue of the annual benefit statements.  Officers confirmed that they targeted those who were approaching retirement date along with active members, but that ultimately it was the responsibility of members to update their details electronically.

RESOLVED:

(1)  To note the membership data, employer performance and Avon Pension Fund performance for the three months to 31 March 2017.

(2)  To note the progress and reviews of the TPR Data Improvement Plan.

(3)  That the compliance report and improvement plan be afforded greater scrutiny at future meetings.