Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Cllr Keith Chambers (Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council) and Cllr John Mutton (Coventry City Council).

No notification of substitutes were received.

No declarations of interests were made.

[For approval]

Resolved:

That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 16 March 2016 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

[To consider any matters arising from the minutes of previous meeting]

There were no matters arising from the minutes of the previous meeting.

[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]

Resolved:

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 falling within the paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

[To receive a presentation from Baillie Gifford]

The Sub Committee received a presentation from Baillie Gifford on their view on the future of global markets in three and five years.

Resolved:

          That the presentation from Baillie Gifford be received and noted.

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

David Evans, Head of Portfolio, Passive Equities presented a report which summarised the key elements of the review of the global economy and investment markets produced by the Fund’s Investment Advisers Hymans- Robertson.

Cllr Ian Brookfield (Chair) asked whether plans were in place in the event that the outcome of the EU Referendum was to leave the EU.  In response the Strategic Director for Pensions advised that the Investment Advisory Panel had discussed the matter and further discussions were planned shortly after the referendum. 

Resolved:

That the global economic and market update paper prepared by the Fund’s adviser, Hymans-Robertson be noted.

[To report on the activities of the Investment Advisory Panel (IAP) and the WMITA Investment Strategy Panel during 2015/16 and to re-appoint Hymans Robertson as investment consultant and Scott Jamieson as Independent Adviser]

The Strategic Director for Pensions presented the report on the activities of the Investment Advisory Panel (IAP) and the WMITA Investment Strategy Panel (WMITA ISP) during 2015/16. The Strategic Director also sought approval to re-appoint Hymans Robertson and Scott Jamieson as Investment Advisers.

In response to a question from Malcolm Cantello on whether the costs associated with running the IAP were within the budget, the Strategic Director for Pensions confirmed that provision for the IAP was included in the budget.   She also reported on the fees for the services of the two external Investment advisers to the IAP, Hymans Robertson and Scott Jamieson.

Resolved:

1.     That the Committee continue with Hymans Robertson as Investment Advisers to both WMPF and the WMITA fund and with Scott Jamieson as Investment Adviser to WMPF for 2016/17.

2.     That the work of the Investment Advisory Panel and the WMITA Investment Strategy Panel for 2015/2016 be noted.

[To receive an overview of the restructure of the Fund’s emerging market debt portfolio]

David Evans, Head of Portfolio, Passive Equities presented a report on an overview of the restructure of the Fund’s emerging market debt portfolio.

Cllr Ian Brookfield welcomed the outcomes from streamlining the structure of the Fund’s emerging market debt portfolio, which would lead to projected investment management fee savings of around £1milion per annum when compared to the previous management structure of the portfolio.

Resolved:

          That the restructuring and associated transition of the Fund’s emerging market debt portfolio carried out during the first quarter of 2016 be noted.

[To consider the performance report]

David Evans, Head of Portfolio, Passive Equities summarised the key elements of the quarterly asset allocation and investment monitoring report for the Fund.

Cllr Ian Brookfield expressed his gratitude for all of the work done to achieve the good overall Fund returns in a difficult market environment.

Resolved:

That the contents of the asset allocation and investment monitoring report for the quarter ended 31 March 2016 be noted.

[To review the monitoring report]

The Advisory Sub Committee received a report on the key elements of the quarterly asset allocation and investment monitoring report for the WMITA Fund. 

Resolved:

That the contents of the asset allocation and investment monitoring report for the period ended 31 March 2016 be noted.