This week in Warwickshire:

New Cabinet Takes Shape: Leader Appoints Portfolio Holders

Councillor Rob Howard, Leader of Warwickshire County Council, convened a Portfolio Holder Decisions/Leader Decisions meeting on Friday to appoint councillors to the Cabinet and delegate executive functions. While no video or transcript is available, the public reports pack sheds light on the intended decisions.

• Cabinet Appointments: Councillor Howard was expected to appoint up to nine other members to the Cabinet, including a Deputy Leader. The specific portfolios assigned to each councillor will determine their areas of responsibility and influence within the council.
• Delegation of Power: The meeting was scheduled to address the delegation of executive functions to various members, officers, and bodies, as detailed in the Council's Constitution. This process ensures that decisions can be made efficiently and effectively across the council.
• Appointments to Key Bodies: The agenda included appointments to important bodies such as the Adoption Panel and the Eastern Shires Purchasing Organisation (ESPO). These appointments reflect the council's commitment to safeguarding vulnerable children and collaborating with other authorities to improve services.

The Leader's decisions will shape the direction of the council and impact the lives of residents across Warwickshire.

Upcoming Meetings

Here's a summary of upcoming meetings and their main topics:

• Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Local Pension Board of the Firefighters' Pension Scheme (http://opencouncil.network/meetings/67616) - Monday 02 June 2025: Fire Pension Administration Update, Governance and Policy Update, review of the Risk Register and a review of the Forward Plan.
• Audit and Standards Committee (http://opencouncil.network/meetings/67633) - Thursday 05 June 2025: External Auditors' Plans for the Council and Pension Fund, Annual Governance Statement, and the Committee's Annual Report.
• Dispensations Sub Committee (http://opencouncil.network/meetings/68374) - Thursday 05 June 2025: To consider applications for dispensations to councillors in relation to certain disclosable pecuniary interests.
• Pension Fund Investment Sub-Committee (http://opencouncil.network/meetings/68495) - Monday 09 June 2025
• Staff and Pensions Committee (http://opencouncil.network/meetings/68499) - Monday 09 June 2025
• Regulatory Committee (http://opencouncil.network/meetings/68502) - Tuesday 10 June 2025
• Cabinet (http://opencouncil.network/meetings/68505) - Thursday 12 June 2025
• Portfolio Holder Decisions/Leader Decisions (http://opencouncil.network/meetings/68510) - Friday 13 June 2025

This week in Warwickshire:

• The Pension Fund Investment Sub-Committee was scheduled to appoint a chair and vice-chair.
• The Resources and Fire & Rescue Overview and Scrutiny Committee was also scheduled to appoint a chair and vice-chair.
• The Staff and Pensions Committee was scheduled to discuss appointments to the Pension Fund Investment Sub-Committee.
• The Portfolio Holder Decisions/Leader Decisions meeting was scheduled to address cabinet portfolios and appointments to external bodies.
• The Regulatory Committee was scheduled to appoint a chair and vice-chair.
• The Adult Social Care and Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee was scheduled to appoint a chair and vice-chair.
• The Children & Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee was scheduled to appoint a chair and vice-chair.
• The Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee was scheduled to appoint a chair and vice-chair.
• The Dispensations Sub Committee considered granting dispensations to councillors regarding school matters, allowances, and council tax.
• The County Council was scheduled to elect a new chair and vice-chair, and discuss amendments to contract standing orders.

Pension Fund Investment Sub-Committee - Friday 16 May 2025

The Pension Fund Investment Sub-Committee of Warwickshire Council met on Friday 16 May 2025. The agenda included the appointment of a chair and vice-chair. No video was provided.

Appointment of Chair and Vice-Chair

The agenda included the appointment of a chair and vice-chair for the sub-committee.

Resources and Fire & Rescue Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Friday 16 May 2025

The Resources and Fire & Rescue Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Warwickshire Council met on Friday 16 May 2025. According to the agenda, the meeting was scheduled to include the appointment of a chair and vice-chair, as well as any disclosures of interest. Members of the public were able to speak for up to three minutes on any matter within the remit of the committee. No video was provided.

Appointment of Chair and Vice Chair

The agenda for the meeting included the appointment of a chair and vice chair.

Staff and Pensions Committee - Friday 16 May 2025

The Staff and Pensions Committee of Warwickshire Council met on Friday 16 May 2025 to discuss appointments to sub-committees and bodies. The committee was scheduled to consider appointments to the Pension Fund Investment Sub-Committee, and the Appointments and Disciplinary Appeals Sub-Committees. No video was provided.

Appointments to Sub-Committees/Bodies

The Staff and Pensions Committee was scheduled to discuss appointments to various sub-committees and bodies. According to the report pack, the Staff and Pensions Committee is responsible for functions relating to the appointment and terms and conditions of staff and local government pensions.

Pension Fund Investment Sub-Committee

The committee was scheduled to consider appointments to the Pension Fund Investment Sub-Committee. According to the report pack, the sub-committee:

oversees the investment policy relating to the pension fund and to ensure appropriate management of the Fund and administration of the Pension Scheme. This operates as a sub-committee of the Staff and Pensions Committee.

The report pack notes that membership of the sub-committee should consist of five county councillors, allocated proportionately to the representation of groups and individual members on the council. It notes that based on the current membership of the council, political proportionality would result in 2 Reform UK seats, 1 Liberal Democrat seat, 1 Conservative seat, and 1 Green seat. However, the report pack states that the committee could agree a different split of seats provided no member of the committee votes against it.

Appointments and Disciplinary Appeals Sub-Committees

The Staff and Pensions Committee was also scheduled to consider appointments to the Appointments and Disciplinary Appeals Sub-Committees.

According to the report pack, these sub-committees are established when required to determine individual appeals by employees and also to appoint Directors, Executive Directors, and such other statutory officers as required.

The membership of these sub-committees is drawn from a pool of members, with any three or more elected members being selected from the pool when required. The report pack states that members in the pool should undergo training prior to taking a seat on either a selection panel or staff appeal.

Portfolio Holder Decisions/Leader Decisions - Friday 16 May 2025

The Portfolio Holder Decisions/Leader Decisions meeting of Warwickshire Council on 16 May 2025 was scheduled to address the appointment of cabinet portfolios, the delegation of executive functions, and appointments to various bodies. The report pack includes recommendations for the Leader to confirm the appointment of the Deputy Leader, appoint councillors to the Cabinet, confirm or amend the delegation of executive functions, and make appointments to several bodies. The agenda frontsheet for the meeting was made available online. No video was provided.

Appointment of Cabinet Portfolios and Delegation of Executive Functions

The Leader of the council has the authority to appoint up to nine other members to the Cabinet, determine their portfolios, and delegate executive functions. The Leader is also responsible for appointing a Deputy Leader from within the Cabinet. According to the report pack, the Leader was invited to confirm the appointments set out in the appendix.

The Leader was also invited to confirm or amend the delegation of executive functions to members, officers, or other bodies as outlined in the council's constitution. The Executive Director for Resources is authorised to make any necessary modifications to the constitution to reflect the Leader's decisions.

Appointments to Member Bodies

The meeting was scheduled to address appointments to several member bodies, including:

• Joint Negotiating Bodies: These bodies, one for teaching staff and one for other staff, provide a forum for discussions with trade unions regarding the conditions of service for staff members. They also make recommendations to the Staff and Pensions Committee regarding any changes or amendments to these conditions. The membership of each body includes two Cabinet members and two non-Cabinet members. The Leader is required to appoint the two Cabinet members to each body and was invited to confirm the appointments set out in the appendix.
• Adoption Panel: The Adoption Panel is a statutorily required body with a membership prescribed by legislation. While there is no longer a legal requirement for an elected member to be appointed to the Panel when the council is the adoption agency, the council may choose to appoint one. However, an elected member cannot be appointed as Chair, as regulations state that this position must be held by an independent person. The Leader was invited to appoint one County Councillor to the Panel and to confirm the appointment set out in the appendix.
• Fostering Panel: The Fostering Services (England) Regulations 2011 sets out the requirements for the constitution and membership of Fostering Panels. Similar to the Adoption Panel, there is no longer a legal requirement for an elected member to be appointed when the council is the fostering service provider. However, the council may choose to appoint one, with the same restriction on the Chair position. Warwickshire Council has determined that one County Councillor should sit on the Fostering Panel, and the Leader was invited to confirm this appointment.

Appointment to External Bodies

The meeting was also scheduled to address appointments to external bodies, specifically the Eastern Shires Purchasing Organisation (ESPO)

• Eastern Shires Purchasing Organisation (ESPO) Management Committee and Finance and Audit Committee: ESPO is a joint committee between consortium authorities that aims to improve and maintain effective, efficient, and economical arrangements for the supply of goods and services to its constituent authorities. Each member authority has two places on the Management Committee, one of which must be a Cabinet member. The Leader was invited to confirm the two appointments to the ESPO Management Committee. The Leader was also asked to appoint one of those members to sit on the ESPO Finance and Audit Committee, which oversees the financial planning process undertaken by ESPO.

Financial and Environmental Implications

The report pack states that all proposals outlined in the report can be accommodated within the 2025/26 approved budget. It also notes that there are no environmental implications associated with the proposals.

Regulatory Committee - Friday 16 May 2025

The Regulatory Committee of Warwickshire Council met on Friday 16 May 2025. According to the agenda and reports pack, the meeting included the appointment of a chair and vice-chair, as well as general business. Members of the public who were residents or working in Warwickshire, or who were in receipt of services from the council, could speak at the meeting for up to three minutes on any matter within the remit of the committee. No video was provided.

Appointment of Chair and Vice Chair

The agenda included the appointment of a chair and vice chair for the Regulatory Committee.

Adult Social Care and Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Friday 16 May 2025

The Adult Social Care and Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Warwickshire Council met on Friday 16 May 2025. The meeting's agenda included the appointment of a chair and vice-chair. No video was provided.

Appointment of Chair and Vice-Chair

The agenda included the appointment of a chair and vice-chair for the committee.

Children & Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Friday 16 May 2025

The Children & Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Warwickshire Council met on Friday 16 May 2025. The agenda for the meeting included the appointment of a chair and vice-chair. No video was provided.

Appointment of Chair and Vice-Chair

The agenda included the appointment of a chair and vice-chair for the committee.

Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Friday 16 May 2025

The Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Warwickshire Council met on Friday 16 May 2025. The agenda included the appointment of a chair and vice-chair. No video was provided.

Appointment of Chair and Vice-Chair

The agenda included the appointment of a chair and vice-chair for the committee.

Dispensations Sub Committee - Friday 16 May 2025

The Dispensations Sub-Committee of Warwickshire County Council met on 16 May 2025 to discuss applications for dispensations. The report pack included a proposal to grant dispensations to all councillors in specific circumstances, allowing them to participate in discussions and votes where they might otherwise have a conflict of interest. These circumstances relate to school matters, allowances, council tax, membership of other public authorities, and local government reform. No video was provided.

Dispensations for Councillors

The report pack included a recommendation to grant dispensations for four years to all councillors in several key areas. The report stated that these dispensations are intended to:

protect Members from inadvertent breaches of the requirements related to Disclosable Pecuniary Interests due to omissions and ambiguities in the legislation and to ensure that the County Council can conduct its business effectively.

The dispensations would allow councillors to speak and vote on matters related to:

• School Meals and Transport: Councillors who are parents or guardians of children in full-time education would be allowed to participate in discussions and votes about school meals or transport, unless it specifically relates to the school their child attends.
• Member Allowances: Councillors would be permitted to discuss and vote on matters concerning allowances, payments, pensions, indemnity or other financial benefits given to members.
• Council Tax: Councillors would be allowed to participate in setting Council Tax or a precept¹.
• Twin-hatted Members: Councillors who are also members of another public authority (or whose spouse/partner is) would be allowed to speak and vote on matters affecting that other authority, even if they receive an allowance from it. However, if the issue is a matter of dispute between the County Council and the other authority, the councillor may only speak and must then withdraw from the meeting. According to the report, approximately 23% of the council's membership are twin-hatted members.
• Local Government Reform and Devolution: Councillors with a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest arising from issues covered by the English Devolution White Paper² and/or proposed unitary local government in Warwickshire, due to receiving an allowance from another Warwickshire public authority or a salary from the County Council or that other public authority, would be allowed to speak and vote on these issues.
• Spouse/Partner Employment: Councillors whose spouse or partner is an employee of the County Council or another authority would be allowed to speak and vote on most matters, except those with a direct impact on their spouse's or partner's employment.

The report argues that without these dispensations, the ability of councillors to represent local issues would be significantly impaired, and that it could exclude large numbers of members from discussions and debates.

Other Business

The agenda for the meeting also included:

• The appointment of a chair for the meeting.
• Apologies for absence.
• Disclosures of pecuniary and non-pecuniary interests.

County Council - Friday 16 May 2025

The County Council of Warwickshire Council was scheduled to meet on 16 May 2025 for its annual meeting, which included the election of a new chair and vice-chair, and the appointment of members to various committees and other bodies. Councillors were also scheduled to discuss the annual use of urgency and call-in procedures, the overview and scrutiny annual report, and proposed amendments to the council's contract standing orders. The meeting was also scheduled to welcome new members elected on 1 May 2025. No video was provided.

Election of Chair and Vice-Chair

The meeting was scheduled to include the election of a chair and vice-chair for the upcoming municipal year. The newly elected chair and vice-chair would then make a declaration of acceptance of office.

Appointments to Committees and Other Bodies

The council was scheduled to consider the appointment of members to various committees and other bodies. The report pack included recommendations for the committee structure and delegations of non-executive functions to member bodies as set out in the Constitution.

The report pack noted that the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 requires that appointments to committees and sub-committees must achieve political balance in their membership.

The report pack also included recommendations for appointments to the:

• Audit and Standards Committee
• Health and Wellbeing Board
• Coventry and Warwickshire Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee
• Corporate Parenting Panel
• Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education
• Warwickshire Waste Partnership
• Local Pension Board and Fire & Rescue Pension Board
• Warwickshire Police and Crime Panel
• Joint Negotiating Bodies
• Local Government Association
• County Councils Network

The report pack stated that the council was required to have a Corporate Parenting Panel, and that the membership of the Panel includes the Cabinet Portfolio Holder with responsibility for children’s services as Chair, plus five other members.

The report pack noted that the Health and Wellbeing Board is a committee of the Council but the rules regarding proportionality do not apply to the Board which has a mixed membership of councillor and non-councillor appointments.

The report pack stated that the terms of reference for the Local Pension Board and Fire & Rescue Pension Board specify that the tenure of membership is a rolling three year term, subject to a maximum of 9 years in total, and that each has an independent Chair also appointed for a three-year term.

The report pack noted that Police and Crime Panels are joint committees of the principal authorities in a police area, which in Warwickshire means the County Council and the five district /borough councils, and that the composition of the panel must meet the principle of ‘fair representation’.

The report pack recommended that the Executive Director for Resources be authorised to appoint an Independent Remuneration Panel to commence a review of the Member Allowances Scheme.

Amendments to Contract Standing Orders

The council was scheduled to discuss proposed amendments to the Contract Standing Orders, which form part of the council's constitution. The proposed changes were prompted by the Procurement Act 2023 and the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023.

The report pack stated that the Procurement Act 2023 reforms the rules for public procurement and consolidates various existing public procurement rules into one regime, and that the changes made by the Procurement Act and its associated Regulations are intended to improve the way that public bodies procure through simpler, more flexible and effective approaches to procurement.

The report pack noted that the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023 apply to the procurement of certain health care and public health services.

The report pack stated that the CSOs have been amended to ensure they are consistent with the Act and its associated Regulations and also the PSR Regulations, and that the proposed changes were considered and endorsed by the Audit and Standards Committee on 20 March 2025 and by Cabinet on 10 April 2025.

The report pack stated that the changes that have been made to the CSOs do not affect the balance between member and officer decision making as no amendments have been made to the thresholds over which member authority is required to start a procurement process.

The report pack noted that there is an increased emphasis on seeking advice from Procurement, Contract Management and Legal colleagues prior to undertaking a new procurement or making changes to existing contracts to ensure that all requirements of procurement legislation are complied with.

The report pack stated that the majority of the changes have been made to ensure consistency with the new procurement legislation and the key changes in this respect are as follows:

4.1.1 The procurement objectives and principles as set out in the procurement legislation and which the Council must have regard to are specifically included.

4.1.2 The list of contracts and activities which the CSOs do not apply to have been reviewed to ensure they are consistent with the procurement legislation.

4.1.3 The list of contracts where direct award may be justified, but other aspects of the CSOs and procurement legislation may still apply (such as requirements to publish notices) have been reviewed to ensure they are consistent with the procurement legislation.

4.1.4 Amendments have been made throughout the CSOs to ensure that officers undertaking a procurement or wishing to vary, extend or terminate existing contracts seek advice from Procurement, Contract Management and Legal colleagues. This is particularly important given the new transparency requirements (through the publication of various notices) which are required under the procurement legislation and which only Procurement and Contract Management officers will be able to publish.

4.1.5 The section on modifying contracts has been reviewed to ensure that it is consistent with the procurement legislation.

4.1.6 The list of matters which must be specified in contract documents has been reviewed to ensure it is consistent with the procurement legislation.

4.1.7 Reference to when Key Performance Indicators are required have been included to ensure consistency with the procurement legislation.

4.1.8 Information on the various types of notices that might be required under the Procurement Act has been included and it has been made clear that only officers from Procurement and Contract Management are authorised to publish such notices on the Central Digital Platform.

4.1.9 The sections on frameworks (previously referred to as framework agreements), award criteria and evaluation and award of contracts and debriefing tenderers have been updated to ensure consistency with the procurement legislation.

4.1.10 A section on supplier exclusion and debarment has been added to ensure consistency with the procurement legislation.

4.1.11 A section on transitional arrangements has been included to clarify which rules apply to contracts that were awarded prior to 24 February 2025 or awarded after that date if the procurement went live before and which rules apply if the contract was awarded or procurement went live after that date.

4.1.12 The definitions and terminology have been updated throughout to ensure consistency with the procurement legislation.

Annual Monitor of Use of Urgency and Call-in Procedures

The council was scheduled to receive and consider the Annual Monitor of Use of the Urgency and Call-in Procedures for the period May 2024 to April 2025.

The report pack stated that the use of the Council’s call-in and urgency procedures is monitored annually in accordance with Standing Order 19.1 of the Council’s Constitution, and that the report summarises the decisions taken under the urgency procedure and the use of call-in from May 2024 to the end of April 2025.

The report pack noted that there had been no call-ins over the last 12 months, continuing the performance from 2023/2024.

The report pack stated that there had been twelve instances of the use of the consent to urgency procedure over the last year, an increase of one on the previous year.

The report pack noted that all decisions taken under the urgency procedure were considered to be urgent as a result of external factors and/or decisions which were not within the Council’s control.

The report pack provided details of the decisions taken under the urgency procedure from May 2024 to April 2025, including:

• Winter Weather Stations and Bureau Contract
• Land at Birchmoor Road
• Warwickshire County Council Response to the Teachers Pay and Conditions Consultation 2024
• Allocation of Capital Investment Funds - A46 Stoneleigh Junction Improvement Scheme
• Response to the Pension Fund Review Call for Evidence
• Warwickshire County Council response to the Teacher's Pay and Conditions consultation 2025
• Civil Society Covenant Consultation Response
• English Devolution White Paper - County Council elections 2025
• Acceptance of Department for Transport Grant for development work on the A426/A4071 Avon Mill/Hunters Lane Improvements scheme
• Response to the Government consultation titled “Local Authority Funding Reform: Objectives and Principles”
• South Warwickshire Local Plan Consultation Response
• Better Care Fund Plan 2025/2026

Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report

The council was scheduled to receive the Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report 2024/2025. The report highlights the activity of the Overview and Scrutiny Committees throughout the year and details the achievements and activities of the four Overview and Scrutiny Committees operated by the Council during 2024/25.

The report pack stated that the report demonstrates where the scrutiny function has added value to the organisation, helped to improve service delivery and supported the Council to achieve its corporate ambitions.

The report included sections from:

• Adult Social Care and Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee
• Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee
• Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee
• Resources and Fire & Rescue Overview and Scrutiny Committee

The Adult Social Care and Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee section noted that the Committee’s remit is to scrutinise the performance of local health commissioners and service providers, and that with the integration of services, some Council staff now work in joint roles with the NHS.

The Adult Social Care and Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee section stated that the Committee looked at incontinence services both for children and adults, and that members of the Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee were invited to contribute to this scrutiny activity with presentations and a question/answer session.

The Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee section noted that the Committee added an update in relation to the Corporate Parenting Panel as a regular agenda item and this has continued into this municipal year.

The Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee section stated that the Committee received a presentation covering the Council’s approach to knife crime and child exploitation across different ages and different groups, applying the learning received to consideration of the Council’s approach.

The Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee section stated that at each meeting, the Committee receives an economic development update detailing activities within Warwickshire, and that this report encompasses the work undertaken by Council officers and partners across various services, along with pertinent news and information relevant to the Committee.

The Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee section noted that in February 2025, members of the Committee were presented with the annual Sustainable Futures Strategy report, and that the report highlighted the Council's three key ambitions: achieving a net zero council by 2030, becoming net zero for the county by 2050, and adapting services and communities to cope with climate change.

The Resources and Fire & Rescue Overview and Scrutiny Committee section stated that the Committee gave significant attention to proposals relating to the reconfiguration of Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service resources under the Resourcing to Risk Proposals which aim to ensure appliances and crews are positioned where they are most likely to be needed. This is similar to the Resourcing to Risk proposal, Model A that was discussed in the Resources and Fire & Rescue Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting on Wednesday 26 June 2024.

The Resources and Fire & Rescue Overview and Scrutiny Committee section noted that Committee members requested a deeper look at staff absence levels following discussions on the Our People Strategy¹.

This week in Warwickshire:

• The Pension Fund Investment Sub-Committee met to discuss the implementation of an equity fund review, and a private debt fund review.
• The Warwickshire Local Pension Board discussed the Warwickshire Pension Fund's governance, business plan, investments and administration.

Pension Fund Investment Sub-Committee - Tuesday 29 April 2025

The Pension Fund Investment Sub-Committee of Warwickshire Council met on Tuesday 29 April 2025 to discuss the implementation of an equity fund review, and a private debt fund review.

Exclusion of Public from Parts of Meeting

The Sub-Committee were scheduled to consider a resolution to exclude members of the public from the meeting during discussions of the implementation of an equity fund review, and a private debt fund review, because their presence would involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of Part 1 of the Local Government Act 1972.¹

Equity Fund Review and Private Debt Fund Review

The Sub-Committee were scheduled to discuss the implementation of an equity fund review, and a private debt fund review. No further details were provided in the agenda.

Warwickshire Local Pension Board - Tuesday 29 April 2025

The Warwickshire Local Pension Board met to discuss the Warwickshire Pension Fund's governance, business plan, investments and administration. The board was also scheduled to review minutes from the December 2024 Pension Fund Committees.

Warwickshire Pension Fund Governance Review

The board was scheduled to note and comment on a report regarding the governance of the Warwickshire Pension Fund. The report summarised findings from AON, independent external advisors, who reviewed current governance arrangements against the Pensions Regulator General Code of Practice and the Scheme Advisory Board Good Governance Report.

The review was commissioned by the Fund to identify areas for development and prepare for potential biennial reviews. The report noted that these reviews have the potential to have serious ramifications for Funds, and that the government is concerned about minimum governance standards.

The AON report considered compliance with the Pensions Regulator General Code across a number of headings. The findings were summarised as:

In summary there are 318 checks in the checklists, grouped into the modules shown above. Of these, 83% are green (fully compliant), 14% are amber (compliant in some but not all areas), and 3% are red (not currently compliant).

The report noted that the red rated items were not considered to be a serious governance issue, and included:

• Recruitment Policy for Local Pension Board Members
• Conflicts of Interest
• Business Continuity
• Own Risk Assessment (ORA)²
• Administration
• Publishing Board Information
• Policy for Unavailable Data

The report also considered the governance practices of the Fund against good practice, utilising the AON governance framework standards and having regard to the expected requirements of the Scheme Advisory Board’s Good Governance review.

The overall conclusion of this review was that the governance of the Fund is of a high standard in the vast majority of areas and demonstrates best practice in a number of areas.

Key recommendations were that the Fund considers:

• Operating a single Pensions Committee
• The question of member and employer representation in the pension fund committee (or committees).
• Updating business planning to consider a rolling 3 year or medium term planning horizon
• Updating the Terms of Reference of the Pension Committee and Local Pension Board
• Reviewing longer term training requirements for committee and board members.
• Documenting a recruitment and retention policy for the Local Pension Board

Warwickshire Pension Fund Business Plan

The board was scheduled to discuss the Warwickshire Pension Fund Business Plan, including an update on the 2024/25 plan and the proposed plan for 2025/26.

Warwickshire Pension Fund Business Plan 2024/25 update

The board was scheduled to note and comment on the progress made as at Quarter 4 towards the Business Plan objectives.

The Business Plan sits alongside other key documents which govern the strategy and operations of the Warwickshire Pension Fund, including the Administration Strategy, Investment Strategy Statement and Funding Strategy Statement

All activities for 2024/25 are flagged as either completed or green (on track or ongoing), with the exception of items 26 and 29, which are now recorded as Amber. Both items were due to be completed by March 2025 but are now due for completion in the 2025/26 year and are recorded in the Business Plan for 2025/26.

The business plan monitoring summary indicated that of the 30 items, 8 were completed, 20 were green, and 2 were amber. The amber items related to succession planning for committee and board membership, and implementation of Task Force on Climate Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) requirements.

Warwickshire Pension Fund Business Plan 2025/26

The board was scheduled to note and comment on the 2025/26 Business Plan for the Warwickshire Pension Fund.

The Business Plan will be used to guide and direct the Fund, provide clarity and alignment on goals and objectives, and establish key initiatives for the forthcoming three financial years.

The 2025/26 Business Plan has regard to the recommendation that the Business Plan should be prepared on a rolling three-year period basis but updated annually.

The Fund’s fundamental objectives are that:

i.) Pension benefits are paid to members accurately and on time; and

ii.) the funds are available to pay benefits when they fall due.

To do this the Fund will:

i.) Ensure the governance arrangements of the Pension Fund allow officers, employers, pension fund committee and Pension Board members to discharge their responsibilities efficiently and effectively;

ii.) Deliver a high-quality pension administration service, working effectively with scheme employers and maintaining a constant focus on data quality and customer service; and

iii.) Ensure the financial sustainability of the Fund through effective forecasting of long-term liabilities, determination and collection of appropriate contributions and generation of an appropriate risk adjusted return from the fund's investments.

Key actions and performance indicators for the Fund are organised into the categories of administration, investment, and governance / management.

Key business plan themes include:

• Workforce Planning
• Ensuring Appropriate Governance
• Climate Change / ESG Policy
• Developing Improved Systems
• Collaboration
• Pooling
• Investing in Employer Liaison

Governance, Regulatory and Policy update

The board was scheduled to note and comment upon the contents of a report summarising the main governance issues affecting the Warwickshire Pension Fund. These areas include the forward plan, risk monitoring, updated policies and training and regulatory updates.

The report included an updated Forward Plan, operating on a rolling annual basis and covering the year ahead.

The report also provided an update on the risks facing the Fund and the management actions necessary to address them, drawn from the Fund’s Risk Register as reported to the Staff and Pensions Committee in March 2025.

The risk causes and consequences added since the previous review are:

• Pension Dashboard requirements not met
• Governance Failure
• Employer Risk

An interim review of the Fund’s training policy has been completed while the results from the full governance review are compiled. Updates to the policy were made to meet the requirements of the General Code of Practice.

The Admissions and Terminations Policy has been updated to include the new cessation approach for contractors without a guarantor.

Regulatory updates included:

• 2025/26 employee contribution bands
• Neonatal Care Leave (NCL) and Pay regulations
• Annual revaluation and pensions increase
• Inquiry on Artificial Intelligence in banking, pensions and other financial services.
• MHCLG plans change to revision of employer contribution rate rules.
• 2026 LGPS Governance Conference
• LGPS Fit for the Future Consultation

Pension Administration Activity and Performance Update

The board was scheduled to note and comment on the content of a report updating on key developments affecting pensions administration and the performance of the Pensions Administration Service (PAS).

The report included information on:

• Member Self Service (MSS)
• Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)³
• Pensioner Payroll Key Performance Indicators
• Workloads
• Breaches
• Compliments and Complaints
• Pensions Dashboards

Investment Update

The board was scheduled to note and comment on a report providing a general update on investment related activity.

The report included information on:

• Portfolio Commentary
• Cashflow Review
• Voting
• Other activities

The Fund has committed to the BCPP Alternatives Series 3a programme: £75m in Private Equity; £10m in Infrastructure; and £30m in Private Debt.

At its meeting in June 2024, the PFISC approved a total commitment of £200m to the UK Real Estate Fund.

Minutes from the December 2024 Pension Fund Committees

The board was scheduled to consider and comment on the minutes from the September 2024 Pension Fund Investment Sub-Committee and September 2024 Staff and Pensions Committee.

This week in Warwickshire:

• Councillor Peter Butlin approved the extension of the Business Energy Advice Service (BEAS) for another year, adding £1.25 million to the Capital Programme.

Portfolio Holder Decisions/Leader Decisions - Thursday 24 April 2025

Councillor Peter Butlin, Deputy Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Finance and Property, approved the extension of the Business Energy Advice Service (BEAS) in Warwickshire for another 12 months. This decision allows the council to accept a grant from the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero (DESNZ) via the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) to continue the programme, which provides energy audits and grants to local businesses. The extension includes adding £1.25 million to the Capital Programme to fund the BEAS grant scheme.

The Business Energy Advice Service (BEAS) has been running in Warwickshire since October 2023. It was established to help businesses respond to climate change, and was initially funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), DESNZ via WMCA, and Warwickshire County Council.

The service offers businesses free energy audits and grants to implement energy efficiency measures and adopt low-carbon technologies.

According to the report:

The BEAS has now supported 185 businesses in Warwickshire to develop bespoke decarbonisation plans after a free energy audit of their premises and operations. Thirty-five of these businesses were also successful in securing grants, worth £0.75 million in total, to support with the implementation of recommendations in their audits.

The extension of the BEAS pilot is funded by a grant from DESNZ via WMCA, consisting of approximately £0.27 million of revenue funding and £1.25 million of capital funding. The revenue funding will enable Coventry City Council, the procured supplier, to conduct energy audits for an additional 125 businesses in Warwickshire during 2025/26. The capital grant will extend the BEAS grant scheme for another year, supporting an estimated 57 businesses with the implementation of audit recommendations.

There have been some changes to the eligibility requirements for the scheme. Businesses must now use at least 25,000 kWh of energy annually to qualify for support, which means that some smaller businesses that were previously eligible will no longer be able to participate. However, the range of eligible activities has been expanded to include the installation of solar panels in certain circumstances.

Alternatives to extending the BEAS pilot were considered but rejected. The available UKSPF funding is insufficient to operate an energy advice service without the additional DESNZ funding, and it was deemed unclear whether another organisation would take on the responsibility for delivering the DESNZ funding in Warwickshire.

The report states that:

Failure for the Council to do so could mean a scenario where Warwickshire businesses are unable to benefit from the further 12 months of DESNZ funding. Alternatively (if WMCA was able to identify an alternative delivery partner), it would create unnecessary confusion in the market.

The extension of the BEAS pilot in Warwickshire is expected to support the delivery of key priorities in the new Economic Growth Strategy for Warwickshire and the Sustainable Futures Strategy.¹