The Assistant Director of Resources presented the report noting that a number of Local Authorities had an Independent Chair of their Pension Boards.

In response to concerns regarding the costs, the Assistant Director advised that this was currently being negotiated, however it had been found that other authorities were paying similar amounts. The interaction between the pension board and the advisory panel was currently a concern and the Chair would look at this as well as the administration of the pension fund which is currently undertaken by Wandsworth Council. Officers wanted to ensure proper governance in the work going forward and to ensure the panel was given the opportunity to be held to account.

Members requested a further period of consultation including with the Chair of the Pension Investment Advisory Panel and for a number of additions to the report including the addition of tracked changes to show the proposed amendments.

The recommendations were therefore not agreed and a further report would be brought back to the Committee at the next meeting.

The Monitoring Officer presented the report, advising that whilst a breach of the guidance wouldn’t automatically be a breach of the code of conduct, it could be considered as part of any complaint received.

Members felt that is was important to have guidance however wished for the political groups to be consulted on the proposed guidance before it came back to Committee in July.

Members also requested that information be added to the guidance for Councillors who felt threatened on social media before it was brought back to Committee.

The recommendations were therefore not agreed and the report would be brought back to a later Committee meeting.