In the past week, several key meetings have taken place within the Enfield Council. Below is a summary of the discussions and decisions made during these meetings.

Local Pension Board - Wednesday 26 June 2024

The Local Pension Board met to discuss various issues related to the Enfield Pension Fund. Key topics included investment performance, administration updates, and training requirements for board members.

Pension Fund Administration:
Tim O'Connor, Exchequer Manager Pension, provided an update on the ongoing implementation of the McCloud remedy, a complex process aimed at rectifying discriminatory changes made to public sector pensions in 2015. The new government guidance published does not introduce new factors but offers additional information on how the McCloud remedy will affect certain calculations. O'Connor mentioned that a new online system is set to be introduced in the summer of 2024 to address some of the current administrative issues.

New GAD guidance that has been published does not contain any new factors but does provide additional information about how McCloud remedy will affect certain calculations namely; early repayments of pension guidance, late retirement guidance, individual incoming, and outgoing transfers guidance and interfund transfers.

Minutes of the Local Pension Board meeting held on 13 March 2024.

Investment Performance:
Ravi Lakhani, Head of Pension Investments, presented on the Pension Fund's investment performance, noting the challenges posed by the current interest rate/inflation cycle and the global economy. The Board discussed the high levels of cash in the fund and potential future investments in infrastructure managers, private debt, and natural capital.

Looking forward, markets are continuing to contend with the effects of the interest rate/inflation cycle and the global economy. It was noted that there is a high level of Government indebtedness and policy makers need to be mindful and must ensure that all commitments are funded.

Minutes of the Pension Policy & Investment Committee meeting held on 20 March 2024.

Training Requirements:
The Board discussed the requirement in the Pension Regulator's new single code of practice for pension board members to undergo training. The Chair, Pauline Kettless, emphasized the importance of understanding the new code and asked for a training plan to be presented at the next meeting.

London CIV:
The Board received an update on the activities of the London CIV, noting the Responsible Investment Stewardship Report for 2024, which outlines the CIV's approach to responsible investment based on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles.

Licensing Sub-Committee - Wednesday 26 June 2024

The Licensing Sub-Committee met to consider an application for a new premises licence for B7 Cafe Bar Lounge in Bush Hill Park. The licence was granted with reduced hours following objections from local residents concerned about noise and disturbance.

Application Details:
The applicant sought permission to sell alcohol until midnight from Sunday to Thursday and until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays, as well as to play live and recorded music indoors until 11pm Sunday to Thursday and until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. After hearing from both the applicant and local residents, the Sub-Committee decided to grant the licence with the following conditions:

• The sale of alcohol is permitted until 11pm Sunday to Thursday and until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.
• The playing of live and recorded music is permitted until 10pm Sunday to Thursday and until 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

"Members carefully considered whether in light of the representations and the provisions of the Licensing Act 2003 and the Guidance issued under s182 of the Licensing Act 2003 (the Guidance) the following steps were necessary for the promotion of the licensing objectives:

• The imposition of any conditions consistent with the Operating Schedule
• The exclusion of a licensable activity
• The removal from the licence of a licensable activity
• The restriction of the times the licence authorises the carrying out of any licensable activity"

Licensing Sub-Committee, Enfield Council 26 June 2024, page 19.

General Purposes Committee - Wednesday 26 June 2024

The General Purposes Committee met to discuss the final accounts for 2023/24 and the work programme for 2024/25. Both the accounts and the work programme were approved.

2023/24 Statement of Accounts:
The Committee reviewed the Statement of Accounts Report 2324, which showed the Council's income and expenditure for the year. The Council's external auditors, BDO, confirmed the accuracy of the accounts and presented their audit plans for 2023/24.

Work Programme 2024/25:
The Committee discussed the GPC Annual Report 202324 and Work Programme Report 202425, with a focus on including more on the Council's climate change commitments. Councillor Katherine Chibah proposed adding an item to the work programme to consider the environmental impact of the Council's investments, which was agreed upon by the Committee.

I propose we add an item to the work programme specifically to consider the environmental impact of our investments. We need to make sure that our investments are aligned with our climate change goals.

Councillor Katherine Chibah, Enfield Council, 26 June 2024.

Staff Appeals, Appointment and Remuneration Committee - Friday 28 June 2024

The Staff Appeals, Appointment and Remuneration Committee discussed two items: the pay award for 2024/2025 and the appointment of an Independent Person.

Pay Award 2024/2025:
The committee reviewed the National Joint Council (NJC) for Local Government Services' offer, which included a £1,925 increase on all spinal column points, effective from 1 April 2024. The committee agreed to delegate the authority for deciding on the implementation of this offer to the Director of Resources, in consultation with the relevant cabinet member.

I think it’s really important that we are supporting our staff. We are one of the biggest employers in the borough, and we have a responsibility to set an example.

Councillor Katherine Chibah, Enfield Council, 28 June 2024.

Appointment of Independent Person:
The committee deferred the decision on appointing a new Independent Person to allow for further applications, as the only application received did not meet the required standard.

These meetings highlight the Council's ongoing efforts to manage pension funds, address local concerns, ensure financial transparency, and support staff. Future updates will continue to provide insights into the workings of the Enfield Council and how decisions impact the community.