Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence had been received from Cllr Steve Eling (Sandwell MBC) and John Fender (John Fender Associates).

Cllr Sandra Hevican attended the meeting as a substitute Member for Cllr Steve Eling (Sandwell MBC).

No declarations of interest were made in relation to items under consideration at the meeting.

(a) Investment Advisory Sub Committee – 25 June 2014

     [for approval]

Resolved:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 25 June 2014 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

[To consider any matters arising from the minutes of the meeting held on 25 June 2014]

There were no matters arising from the minutes of the meeting held on 25 June 2014.

[[To pass the following resolution:

That in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business as they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information on the grounds shown below]

Part 2 – exempt items, closed to the public and press

[To consider a report on the performance and investment activity for the quarter ended 30 June 2014]

Mark Chaloner presented a report which detailed the implementation of the Fund’s investment strategy for the period 1 April 2014 – 30 June 2014 and which included all transactions together with the position of each portfolio at the end of the period.

Cllr Alan Rebeiro queries the benchmark that was used. Mark Chaloner explained that the benchmark was derived from a composite of various indices and was not set at a fixed point. Cllr Rebeiro requested that performance be presented in a graphical format. Geik Drever explained that this type of illustration was provided on an annual basis and would not be particularly meaningful if presented on a quarterly basis but undertook to provide such information in future reports.

Resolved:

1. That the performance and investment activity for the quarter ended        30 June 2014 be noted;

2. That future reports contain performance data in a graphical and textual format.

[To review and note investment management activity for the period 1 April 2014 – 30 June 2014 – the list will be available for inspection at the meeting]

Details of the Investment Management Activity between 1 April 2014 – 30 June 2014 were made available for consideration.

Resolved:

That the Investment Management Activity 1 April 2014 – 30 June 2014 be received and any matters arising therefrom be referred to the Director of Pensions for response.

[To review conditions in the global economy and economic markets]

Mark Chaloner introduced and Graeme Johnston presented a report which reviewed the global economy and investment markets.  Graeme Johnston responded to a number of questions including explain the technical terminology used in the Appendix to the report and his presentation.

Resolved:

That the global market and economic report prepared by the Fund’s advisers, Hymans Robertson be received and noted.  

[To review the Fund’s listed equities portfolio]

Geik Drever presented a report which outlined a review of the Fund’s listed equities portfolio and explained the reasoning behind the various recommendations contained therein. Graeme Johnston and William Marshall presented slides which detailed the background to the recommendations. They responded to various questions from Members of the Sub Committee.

Resolved:

1.That the following changes in the Strategic Investment Allocation            Benchmark (SIAB) allocation to listed equities be approved;

            a)  A decrease in the allocation to UK equities from 8% to 10%         of assets;

            b) An increase in the allocation to global equities to 10% from          8%;

            c) Within the overseas equities allocation (which remains at             30%), allocations to each of North America, Europe ex Uk,    Pacific / Japan (3.75% each) and emerging markets;

2. That the detailed plans for the implementation of the changes in             management arrangements for the listed equities portfolio be            presented to the December 2014 Pensions Committee when a statement of investments beliefs would also be presented     following consideration at the Trustee training session planned            for October 2014 in Edinburgh.   

[To receive an update with progress on the planning application process for up to 1,000 homes on the Fund’s agricultural land in Cleveland]

Geik Drever presented a report which informed the Sub Committee on the progress with the planning application on the Fund’s agricultural land in Cleveland. She responded to questions from Members in relation to the report.

Resolved:

That the report be received and noted.