2021–2022 Annual Report and Accounts of the Orkney Islands Council Pension Fund

www.orkney.gov.uk

IMAGE: The cover shows the Orkney Islands Council crest above a silhouetted coastal landscape at sunset, with the text “2021–2022 Annual Report and Accounts of the Orkney Islands Council Pension Fund” and “www.orkney.gov.uk”.

Contents

• Management Commentary — 1
• Statement of Responsibilities for the Annual Accounts — 14
• Remuneration Report — 16
• Annual Governance Statement — 17
• Governance Compliance Statement — 24
• Annual Accounts 2021–2022 — 28
• Pension Fund Account — 28
• Net Assets Statement as at 31 March 2022 — 29
• Notes to the Annual Accounts — 30
• Independent Auditor’s Report — 54
• Annex 1 – Scheduled and Admitted Bodies — 58
• Annex 2 – Actuarial Statement for 2021–2022 — 59
• Annex 3 – Glossary of Terms — 61
• Additional Information — 63

Management Commentary

Introduction

Welcome to the Annual Report and Accounts for the Orkney Islands Council Pension Fund for the year ended 31 March 2022.

The Local Government Pension Scheme (Scotland) Regulations 2018 require the Council, as administering authority for the Fund, to produce a separate statement of accounts for the Pension Fund and incorporate it into an Annual Report.

This Annual Report has been produced to provide Elected Members, employers, scheme members and other interested parties with information concerning the administration and performance of the fund for financial year 2021–2022 and we hope you find its content useful.

To assist in the understanding of the Annual Report and Accounts we would encourage you to make reference to the Management Commentary in the first instance.

We realise that pensions are a highly complicated subject. It is, however, important that scheme members take the time to try and understand the scale of benefits that they will receive when they retire – whether this is from the Local Government Pension Scheme itself or through other pension arrangements, such as the State Pension.

Overview of Fund Business

Under the statutory provisions of the Local Government Pension Scheme, Orkney Islands Council is designated as an “Administering Authority” and is required to operate and maintain a pension fund – the Orkney Islands Council Pension Fund (“the Fund”).

The Fund is used to pay pensions, lump sum benefits and other entitlements to scheme members and their dependants. Contributions to the Fund are made by employee members and by participating employers. The Fund also receives income from its investments, which include equities and pooled investment vehicles.

The Fund operates under the terms of the Local Government Pension Scheme, which is a public sector pension arrangement. Scheme membership is made up of active, deferred and pensioner members. To be able to join the scheme, a person must be employed by a relevant employer and not eligible to join another public sector pension scheme. Teachers are not included as they have a separate national pension scheme.

Review of the Year

Key Facts and Figures

In a challenging year throwing up many headwinds, the Fund returned -2.4%.

The main contributor of this total return figure was Baillie Gifford’s Global Alpha Fund which returned -7.1% over the year. Positive absolute returns over the first three quarters were offset by underperformance over the last 3 months, driven by shifting market sentiment from growth to value-orientated stocks and in particular positioning within the technology sector.

The UK equity holding with Baillie Gifford fared better from an absolute perspective, with the market benefiting from its more natural value bias due to its sectoral composition (above average exposure to energy, metals, and financials). That said, performance was still subdued with a return of 0.5% over the financial year by the end of March 2022.

Performance from the two multi asset investments with Baillie Gifford, the Diversified Growth Fund and the Multi-asset Growth Fund was positive despite significant drawdowns over the last 3 months when the funds equity investments (over 20% of holdings) weighed on returns. 12-month returns were 3.8% and 1.2% respectively.

The Fund’s gilts holdings (fixed-interest and index-linked) had contrasting experiences. The rising interest rate environment proved a struggle for the fixed interest holdings resulting in a 12 month return of -5.1%. The Fund’s index-linked gilt holdings however benefitted from rising inflation expectations, where increased demand for inflation protection benefitted valuations. The passively held holdings with Legal and General Investment Management (LGIM) were the best performing asset for the Fund in absolute terms over the period with a return of 4.8%.

As at 31 March 2022, the Fund’s investments in infrastructure (via IFM) and Private Debt (via Barings) remain relatively recent additions. In future years it will be more appropriate to comment on performance.

The benchmark return of 9.6% generally reflects variable market conditions for investors over the 12 months to 31 March 2022.

The table shown within the Investment strategy section, page 5, details the allocation of the fund within asset class or pooled investment vehicle.

The value of the fund decreased by £12.3m or 2.4% in the financial year and totalled £508.5m at 31 March 2022.

The change in value of the fund over any given period is a combination of the net money flows into or out of the Fund and any gain or loss on the capital value of its investments. During the year, a loss on member contributions receivable and transfers in over pension payments and management expenses of £0.7m (2021: £1.8m loss) was offset by income from dividends and interest of £8.0m (2021: £5.8m). The fund was further reduced by a net capital loss of £19.6m (2021: £140.2m gain).

The Accounts are based on the market value of investments at 31 March 2022. This means that they include the profit or loss that has been made, due to the change in the value of investments, over the period from the date of their purchase to 31 March 2022 even though no actual sale has taken place. This notional value is defined as “unrealised” profit or loss. By contrast “realised” profits and losses are those that have arisen from actual sales throughout the year. Of the net capital loss of £19.6m in the year, £53.4m was an unrealised loss (2021: £110.7m gain) and £33.9m (2021: £29.5m) realised profit.

After allowing for projected liabilities on the fund, the funding level has decreased to 137% at 31 March 2022 from its value of 146% last financial year end, calculated on an ongoing funding basis. The outlook for future returns has improved however this has been more than offset by an increase to future inflation expectations.

We are pleased to report that the Fund maintains a position above its 100% funding target, being in surplus by £137m at the financial year end (2020/2021: £165m) according to the actuary’s most recent funding update.

Economic and Market Background

Global GDP rose rapidly over the 2021/2022 financial year as major economies moved towards a more permanent easing of pandemic restrictions; however, momentum started to ease towards the end of the period. Physical disruptions and sanctions caused by the Russia-Ukraine conflict triggered broad commodity price rises which, alongside existing inflationary pressures, increased input costs and weighed on consumer’s real incomes. As a result, CPI inflation forecasts reached new highs while consensus forecasts for global growth were revised downwards. That said they still point to a relatively robust pace of growth over 2022 and 2023 by post-Global Financial Crisis standards.

One of the main talking points coming out of 2021/2022 from an economic perspective was inflation. Soaring energy costs pushed headline inflation higher, but core inflation, which excludes volatile energy and food costs, also rose and is running at a 30-year high. UK and US headline CPI inflation increased to 7.0% and 8.5% year-on-year, respectively in March.

The inflation backdrop saw central banks turn more hawkish over the period, despite the potential downside risks to growth from higher commodity prices. After a first hike in December, the Bank of England raised rates twice in Q1, to 0.75% p.a., and, as expected, the US Federal Reserve raised rates by 0.25% p.a. in March, with the median voting member now expecting seven rate rises in 2022 and four in 2023. The European Central Bank confirmed its asset purchases will end this year, leaving the door open to an interest rate rise, while the Federal Reserve System noted plans to reduce the size of its balance sheet.

Despite a tightening stance from central banks and a weakening outlook towards the end of the period, the economic and earnings recovery supported a 9.1% return from global equities over 2021/2022. Amid surging oil and gas prices, the energy sector notably outperformed whilst commodity price rises also benefitted basic materials. Rising yields benefitted the financial sector whilst rising input costs and a squeeze on real incomes weighed on the industrial and consumer discretionary sectors, respectively.

Within fixed income markets, government bond yields rose in line with the recovery in growth and inflation expectations, with 10-year government bonds rising 0.8% p.a., to 1.6% p.a. Global investment-grade credit spreads rose 0.3% p.a. and European high yield bond spreads rose 0.9% p.a., while their US counterparts were little changed: the larger rise in European credit spreads perhaps reflecting expectations of a larger negative impact from the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

On a regional basis, the US led performance rankings due to strong performance in the first three quarters of the period. The UK also outperformed, particularly in the last quarter, benefitting from above-average exposure to energy, metals, and miners. On the other hand, Emerging Market equities were the worst performing region, pulled lower by weak performance from China, where announcements of tighter regulation were compounded by a slowdown in Chinese property and manufacturing sectors, and high energy prices.

The improved outlook for the majority of the 2021/2022 financial year has proved supportive to the UK commercial property market. There was an 18.0% rise in the Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) UK IPD capital value index over the preceding 12-month period to 31 March 2022, which can mainly be attributable to the buoyant industrials sector. It continued to set record highs with capital values rising by 36.8% over the period, the sector’s strongest annual return to date. Return on the all-property index, including income, was 23.9% in the 12 months to 31 March 2022.

From an investment perspective, above-trend growth is still forecasted and though inflation may not be expected to be a long-term problem, even if exacerbated by the Russia-Ukraine conflict, it will likely be higher for longer. Amidst this backdrop, central banks are likely to continue raising rates. The potential impact of inflation and energy prices on real consumer incomes increases the downside risks for growth.

In respect of equities, valuations for global markets, in aggregate, remain expensive relative to history with cyclically adjusted price-to-earnings (P/E) ratios for the MSCI World Index well above long-term median levels. This picture varies greatly by region and sector with UK and Emerging Market equities looking particularly cheap, whilst the US continues to look stretched. Earnings growth in 2022 will inevitably slow sharply from an expected 54% in 2021, but demand and revenue growth remain strong and there is evidence that businesses expect to be able to pass on most of their higher costs. Nevertheless, there are risks, and the inflationary backdrop may favour sectors that benefit from more inelastic demand and greater industry concentration, both of which are key in maintaining pricing power and margins.

Turning to fixed income instruments, sovereign bond yields have risen to reflect a faster path of interest-rate rises, and the risk of higher inflation is increasingly balanced by the risk that a faster-than-expected slowdown eases current price pressures. Uncertainty and risk to the inflation outlook may provide near-term support to index-linked gilts, but the very low level of real yields undermines their relative appeal on a longer-term view. Spreads have also risen across credit markets. A view can be held that investment-grade markets offer better value at present than speculative-grade markets, where spreads may still not adequately reflect increased downside risk. Nevertheless, despite improved valuations in bond and credit markets, the potential impact of high and more persistent inflation on real returns could provide material headwinds over the upcoming period.

Investment Strategy

The Investment Strategy of the Fund is to invest monies in a prudent and diversified manner, in accordance with the Scheme regulations and in recognition of the inherent risks that accompany any investment in the respective asset classes. The strategy is set out in the Statement of Investment Principles which can be viewed on request.

A revised investment strategy was approved in February 2019. The process of transitioning to the revised strategy started during 2019 with the selection, appointment, and onboarding of new fund managers. Although the transition of investments was subsequently delayed in Quarter 1 2020 due to the impact of COVID-19 on the financial markets, significant steps have been taken towards the Fund’s interim-target allocation during the year. The revised asset allocation and range guidelines were applied with effect from December 2019 and are shown in the Asset Allocation table below together with the actual asset allocation at 31 March 2022.

The Fund has acted to reduce its holdings in growth–seeking assets in favour of funding a new allocation to income generating assets as part of a strategy to further diversify the Fund’s investments. Nevertheless, holdings in equities still account for 59.3%, with indirect holdings in Diversified Growth and Multi-Asset Growth pooled funds accounting for a further 22.2% of the Fund’s portfolio as at 31 March 2022. The remaining 18.5 is held in Infrastructure Credit, Private Debt, Bonds and Cash at 4.2%, 5.1%, 8.6% and 0.6% respectively.

Along with new allocations to infrastructure equity and private debt, other changes included an increase in the bonds allocation which is now managed on a passive basis. These changes are intended to reduce the risk profile of the fund and will be matched by a proportionate reduction in growth assets.

As a result of its exposure to equities, the relative performance of the Fund against its benchmark can be volatile over the short term. However, the fund continues to have a strong funding position together with a net contribution from its dealings with members which allows it to take a long-term view across successive investment cycles.

The top 10 direct equity holdings within the fund at 31 March 2022 were:

*Capital Accumulated.

Investment Performance

The performance of the Pension Fund managed investments has been measured against a bespoke or fund specific benchmark since the 1 April 2017, following the closure of the previous peer group benchmark, and reflects the weighting or concentration of individual asset classes within the approved investment strategy. The benchmark is maintained by Hymans Robertson. A revised investment strategy was approved in February 2019 and included principally new allocations to infrastructure equity and private debt, funded by a further reduction in the Fund’s exposure to equities. The weightings of the fund specific benchmark were subsequently amended in December 2019 to reflect the revised investment strategy and signalled the start of the process to transition the Fund’s investments to the new strategy. The Fund’s performance target for this accounting period is to outperform the fund specific benchmark measured over a rolling 5-year period. The average performance over the last 5 years of 8.2% is slightly behind the benchmark of 8.3%.

IMAGE: A bar chart titled “Annualised Performance 2017–2018 to 2021–2022” compares Actual and Benchmark investment performance over 1-year, 3-year and 5-year periods. Actual performance is approximately -3.0% for 1 year, 8.8% for 3 years and 8.2% for 5 years; benchmark performance is approximately 9.6%, 9.4% and 8.3%, respectively.

The following graph summarises investment performance on an annualised basis over 1, 3 and 5-year periods.

Structure of Administration

Staffing

Administration of the Scheme is carried out in-house and undertaken by the Payroll and Pensions section within Orkney Islands Council’s Enterprise & Sustainable Regeneration Service.

The Pensions team within the Payroll and Pensions section has 4.0 full time equivalents, consisting of one full time Service Manager, one full time Senior Assistant, two part time Senior Assistants and an Administrative Assistant. In addition to maintaining scheme members’ records using data supplied by all Fund employers, the Pensions team also provides frontline services to scheme members. As well as answering telephone calls and responding to electronic and written correspondence, meetings are provided where requested.

The staff resources detailed above are supplemented by shared staff resources within the Enterprise & Sustainable Regeneration Service, providing additional governance, payments, investment, and accounting expertise. In addition, the Human Resources and service, within Orkney Islands Council’s Strategy, Performance & Business Solutions Service also supports the work of the Pension section by arranging pre-retirement workshops for scheme members who are within two years of retirement.

Systems

Scheme members’ records are maintained on Aquila Heywood’s pensions administration system known as Altair. Every current and former employee of Fund employers, including Orkney Islands Council, who has a pension entitlement in the Fund is included in the Altair system.

The Council’s ResourceLink Payroll system is used to pay pensioner benefits. The Pensions team is restricted to read only access of the payroll system, with amendments being made to pensioner records via a formal request process to the Payroll team.

Administration Performance

Orkney Islands Council as administering authority is committed to providing a high-quality pension service to both members and employers and ensuring members receive their correct pension benefits entitlement.

Administration performance figures are monitored by the Pension Fund for financial year 2021–2022, against the key service standards set by the Pension Fund Sub-committee, as follows:

Fund Update

Membership details are shown below along with a short description for each membership status:

Employer Bodies

The Fund invested and administered pensions on behalf of 5 current and former employers during financial year 2021–2022. These include scheduled bodies, brought into the Fund by legislation, and admitted bodies, which chose to join the Fund. The detailed listing of employers and their membership numbers is contained in Note 27 of the Annual Report and Accounts for the Fund.

Pension Increases

Pensions which are in payment and deferment are increased each April in accordance with the Pension (Increase) Act 1971. Since April 2011, this increase has been linked to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rather than the Retail Price Index (RPI).

Actuarial Valuation

Annex 2 contains the formal Actuarial Statement for financial year 2021–2022 which is prepared in line with International Accounting Standard (IAS) 26 and supports the preparation of the Financial Statements for the Pension Fund.

The last triennial valuation, as at the 31 March 2020, calculated that the Fund’s assets were valued at £377m, and were sufficient to meet 118.0% of the liabilities (i.e., the present value of promised retirement benefits) accrued up to that date. This compared with 113% at the previous March 2017 valuation. The resulting surplus at the 2020 valuation was £58m.

For the purpose of reporting a funding level and an associated surplus/deficit for the 2020 valuation a prudent future investment return of 2.9% p.a with a 75% likelihood of success has been used, this compared to 3.1% p.a for the 2017 valuation.

The liabilities were assessed using an accrued benefits method which takes into account pensionable membership up to the valuation date and makes an allowance for expected future salary growth and inflation to retirement or expected earlier date of leaving pensionable membership.

Since the previous valuation, various events have taken place which affect the value placed on the liabilities, including:

• Increase due to interest applied to the previous valuation liability value – the benefits that have been accrued to the valuation date are three years closer to payment at 31 March 2020 than they were at 31 March 2017, meaning there is less opportunity for future investment returns to help meet this cost.
• Decrease due to changes to the longevity assumptions used for the valuation resulting in a modest reduction in life expectancies.
• Decrease due to a reduction in the assumed rate of future CPI inflation, from 2.4% p.a at 31 March 2017 to 1.7% at 31 March 2020.
• Increase due to a reduction in the assumed rate of future investment returns, from 3.1% at March 2017 to 2.9% at March 2020.

This overall increase in liabilities has been offset by an increase in the Fund’s assets resulting from a positive investment return and a net cash inflow over the period since the last full valuation at 31 March 2020.

As recommended by the Fund’s actuary (Hymans Robertson) the employers contribution rate has been maintained at 17.0% for the period 01 April 2021 to 31 March 2024 with reference to the future costs and also taking account of the current funding position, which is based on past service benefits.

The LGPS regulations state that a Primary Contribution Rate should also be set, which is the cost of active members accruing benefits in the scheme. There is currently an upward pressure on the Primary Rate due to a reduction in the future yields on investments, resulting from rising inflation forecasts. This means that the current Primary Rate of 24% is now less likely to meet future service costs.

The most recent funding update produced at 31 March 2022 indicates that the funding surplus has decreased from 146% to 137% since 31 March 2021. This can be attributed to losses in asset returns and increases in past service liabilities during the year. A summary of these results is shown below:

The assessed Primary contribution rate for 1 April 2021 – 31 March 2024 at March 2020 was 24.0%. On applying a Secondary contribution rate of -7.0% to give a required minimum contribution, against the background of increased uncertainty over the future impacting on actuarial assumptions the employer contribution rate will be maintained at 17.0% for the three-year period 2021 to 2024.

Main Risks and Uncertainties facing the Fund

Awareness of risk and risk mitigation is a key facet of the Fund’s strategic and operational activities. Whilst it is not possible to eliminate risk entirely, the Fund has taken steps to evaluate risk and put strategies and controls in place to minimise its adverse effects.

The Fund has its own risk register, which details some 29 risks faced by the fund and can be viewed at the related downloads section here. The risk register is reviewed annually by the Pension Fund Sub-committee and Pension Board.

Principal risks, and the way in which they are managed, are as follows:

Financial Mismatch, the risk that the Fund’s assets fail to grow in line with the cost of meeting its liabilities. The Pension Fund Sub-committee measures and manages financial mismatch in several ways. It has set a strategic asset allocation benchmark for the Fund and assesses risk relative to that benchmark by monitoring the Fund’s asset allocation and investment returns. It also assesses risk relative to liabilities by monitoring benchmark returns relative to liabilities. The Pension Fund Sub-committee keeps under review demographic assumptions which could impact on the cost of benefits. These assumptions are considered formally in the triennial valuation and reviewed annually within funding update reports (Navigator) produced by the Fund’s actuary, Hymans Robertson.

Systemic Risk, the risk of an interlinked and simultaneous failure of several asset classes and/or investment managers. The Pension Fund Sub-committee seeks to manage systemic risk by the appointment of investment managers. The Pension Fund Sub-committee regularly reviews total asset values within asset class.

Liquidity Risk, the risk that the Fund cannot meet its immediate liabilities because it has insufficient liquid assets. This is controlled by the regular estimation of cash flow to ensure that sufficient cash balances are available. By holding the majority of its assets in liquid assets such as equities and bonds, unexpected cash flow requirements can be met by the realisation of assets. Liquidity risk is also moderated by the Fund continuing to have a surplus of contributions receivable over pensions payable.

Custody Risk, the risk of losing rights to Fund assets when they are held in custody or being traded. The Pensions Sub-committee manages custody risk by the monitoring of custodian activities. The Fund has appointed Bank of New York Mellon’s London branch as its Custodian.

Transition Risk, the risk of incurring unexpected costs or losses when assets are transferred between asset classes. When carrying out significant transitions the Pensions Sub-committee will take professional advice and consider the appointment of specialist transition managers.

Pension Fund Sub-Committee and Pensions Board

In line with Scheme regulations, and the respective terms of reference for the Pension Fund Sub-committee and Pensions Board, the group met concurrently on four occasions during 2021–2022.

Training activity for the members of the Pension Fund Sub-committee and Pension Board was undertaken during the financial year 2021–2022, in accordance with the agreed training plan, to enable Councillors charged with the governance of the Fund to execute their role as quasi-trustees effectively. In recognition of the complex and ever-changing environment of Local Government Pension Scheme finance, and specifically to address the governance requirements, the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy Code of Practice on Public Sector Pensions Finance Knowledge and Skills has been adopted.

Acknowledgement

We would like to take this opportunity to thank our colleagues in the Enterprise & Sustainable Regeneration Service and the members of the Pension Fund Sub-committee and the Pensions Board for their help and co-operation in managing the financial affairs of the Pension Fund.

Gareth Waterson, BAcc, CA
Section 95 Officer
16 November 2022

Councillor James Stockan
Leader
17 November 2022

John W Mundell, OBE
Interim Chief Executive
16 November 2022

Statement of Responsibilities for the Annual Accounts

Responsibilities of the Orkney Islands Council as Administering Authority

The Council is required to:

• Make arrangements for the proper administration of the financial affairs of the Orkney Islands Council Pension Fund (the Fund) and to secure that one of its officers has the responsibility for the administration of those affairs. In this Council, that officer is the Corporate Director of Enterprise & Sustainable Regeneration.
• Manage the affairs of the Fund to secure economic, efficient, and effective use of resources and safeguard its assets.
• Ensure the Annual Accounts are prepared in accordance with legislation (The Local Authority Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2014) and the Local Authority (Capital Finance and Accounting) (Scotland) (Coronavirus) Amendment Regulations 2021, and so far, as is compatible with that legislation, in accordance with proper accounting practices (Section 12 of the Local Government in Scotland Act 2003).
• Approve the Annual Accounts for signature.

Signed on behalf of Orkney Islands Council

Councillor James Stockan
Leader
17 November 2022

The Corporate Director of Enterprise & Sustainable Regeneration Service responsibilities

The Corporate Director of Enterprise & Sustainable Regeneration is responsible for the preparation of the Annual Accounts in accordance with proper practices as required by legislation and as set out in the CIPFA/LASAAC Code on Local Authority Accounting in the United Kingdom (the Code).

In preparing these Annual Accounts, the Corporate Director of Enterprise & Sustainable Regeneration has:

• Selected suitable accounting policies and then applied them consistently.
• Made judgements and estimates that were reasonable and prudent.
• Complied with legislation.
• Complied with the Code (in so far as it is compatible with legislation).

The Corporate Director of Enterprise & Sustainable Regeneration Service has also:

• Kept adequate accounting records which were up to date.
• Taken reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

I certify that the annual accounts give a true and fair view of the financial position of the Orkney Islands Council Pension Fund as at 31 March 2022, and of its transactions for the year ended 31 March 2022.

Gareth Waterson, BAcc, CA
Section 95 Officer
16 November 2022

Remuneration Report

The Pension Fund does not directly employ any staff. We have therefore not included a remuneration report within the Annual Report.

All staff are employed by Orkney Islands Council, and their costs reimbursed by the Pension Fund.

The Councillors, who are members of the Pension Fund Sub-committee and Pension Board are also remunerated by Orkney Islands Council.

Details of Councillor and Senior Employee remuneration can be found in the accounts of Orkney Islands Council on the Council's website:

https://www.orkney.gov.uk/Council/Statement_of_Accounts/Statement-of-Accounts.htm

Annual Governance Statement

Scope of Responsibility

The Orkney Islands Council acts as Administering Authority for the Orkney Islands Council Pension Fund. The Council is responsible for ensuring that its business is conducted in accordance with the law and proper standards, and that public money is safeguarded, properly accounted for, and used economically, efficiently, and effectively. The Council has a statutory duty to make arrangements to secure best value under the Local Government in Scotland Act 2003.

In discharging this overall responsibility, the Council is responsible for putting in place proper arrangements for the governance of its affairs and facilitating the effective exercise of its functions. This includes arrangements for the management of risk.

The Council has approved and adopted a Local Code of Corporate Governance, which is consistent with the principles of the CIPFA/SOLACE framework ‘Delivering Good Governance in Local Government’. The Code is available on the Council’s website. The authority's financial and management arrangements conform to the governance requirements of the CIPFA Statement on the role of the Chief Financial Officer in local government.

The Local Code of Corporate Governance evidences the Council’s commitment to achieving good governance and demonstrates how it complies with the governance standards recommended by CIPFA. The document is regularly reviewed and updated.

Purpose of the Governance Framework

The governance framework comprises the systems and processes, and cultures and values, by which the Council is directed and controlled, and the activities used to engage with and lead the community. It enables the Council to monitor the achievement of its strategic objectives and to consider whether those objectives have led to the delivery of appropriate, cost-effective services.

The system of internal control is a significant part of that framework and is designed to manage risk to an acceptable level, and provide reasonable, but not absolute, assurance that the policies, aims and objectives can be delivered. The system of internal control is based on an ongoing process designed to identify and prioritise the risks being realised, and the impact should they be realised, and to manage them efficiently, effectively, and economically.

The governance framework has been in place for the year ended 31 March 2022 and up to the date of approval of the Annual Accounts.

Governance Framework

1. Behaving with integrity, demonstrating strong commitment to ethical values, and respecting the rule of law.
2. Ensuring openness and comprehensive stakeholder engagement.
3. Defining outcomes in terms of sustainable economic, social, and environmental benefits.
4. Determining the interventions necessary to optimise the achievement of the intended outcomes.
5. Developing the entity’s capacity, including the capability of its leadership and the individuals within it.
6. Managing risks and performance through robust internal control and strong public financial management.

The Pension Fund is governed by the Local Government Pension Scheme (Scotland) Regulations. These include requirements for the preparation and production of a number of key policy documents including a Valuation Report, a Funding Strategy Statement and Statement of Investment Principles. These documents set out the Fund’s objectives together with the main risks facing the Fund and the key controls to mitigate those risks.

Review of Effectiveness

Orkney Islands Council has put in place appropriate management and reporting arrangements to enable it to satisfy itself that its approach to corporate governance is adequate and effective in practice. This includes ensuring appropriate advice is available to the Pension Fund on all governance matters, providing training to all members of the Pension Fund Sub-committee and Pension Board, keeping proper administrative and financial records and accounts, and maintaining effective procedures and arrangements for the control of governance.

The Pension Fund responds to findings and recommendations of external audit, scrutiny and inspection bodies and the Council’s independent internal audit section. The Pension Fund Sub-committee is integral to overseeing independent and objective assurance and monitoring improvements in internal control and governance.

Administering Authority

Orkney Islands Council is the Administering Authority for the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) set up for the Orkney Islands geographic area.

The Council has delegated the management of the investments of the Pension Fund to the Pension Fund Sub-committee and has established a Pension Board which is the body responsible for assisting the Scheme Manager in relation to compliance with scheme regulations, and the requirements of the Pension Regulator.

Regulatory Framework

The Pensions Regulator is the UK regulator of work-based pension schemes. It works with trustees, employers, pension specialists and business advisers, giving guidance on what is expected of them.

The Scottish Public Pensions Agency (SPPA) is responsible for regulating the LGPS in Scotland and the Council administers the pension scheme in accordance with guidance and regulations issued by the SPPA.

The Orkney Islands Council scheme is open to all employees of scheduled bodies except those whose employment entitles them to belong to another statutory pension scheme (e.g., Teachers). Employees of admitted bodies can join the scheme subject to those bodies meeting the statutory requirements and, on such terms and conditions as the Council (as Administering Authority) may require. A list of scheduled and admitted bodies is attached as Annex 1.

The Pension Fund Sub-committee is a formal sub-committee of Orkney Islands Council’s Policy and Resources Committee. The Scheme of Administration for the Council refers to the Pension Fund Sub-committee all matters relating to the management of investments of the Council’s Pension Fund.

Financial affairs are conducted in compliance with the Council’s Financial Regulations which are reviewed and updated on a regular basis.

Funds are invested in compliance with the Fund’s Statement of Investment Principles.

Pension Fund Sub-Committee and Pension Board

The members of the Pensions Sub-committee together with the Pensions Board act as quasi-trustees and oversee the management of the Orkney Islands Council Pension Fund.

Their overriding duty is to ensure the best possible outcomes for the Fund, its participating employers and scheme members.

The members’ knowledge is supplemented by professional advice from officers of the Council, professional advisers, and other external providers.

The Pension Fund Sub-committee is comprised of seven members of the Council:

• Leader (Chair of Policy and Resources Committee).
• Deputy Leader (Vice Chair of Policy and Resources Committee), and
• Five other elected members of the Council appointed by Policy and Resources Committee.

The Scheme Actuary, the Independent Investment Consultant, Head of Finance, Pensions Manager and the Solicitor for the Council or their nominated representatives also attend the Pension Fund Sub-committee meetings as advisers.

The Pension Fund Sub-committee meets at least quarterly. Additional meetings are called as appropriate and papers and minutes are publicly available on the Council’s website, unless they have been considered as private business in terms of Schedule 7A to the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973. Minutes of the Pension Fund Sub-committee are also presented to the Policy and Resources Committee of the Council.

Membership of the Pensions Board consists of equal numbers made up of 4 trade union representatives and employer representatives, drawn from Orkney Islands Council and scheduled or admitted bodies in membership of the Pension Fund. Pension Board representatives may not participate in or act as members of the Pension Fund Sub-committee or the Monitoring and Audit Committee. Local Authority employer representatives will normally be Elected Members of the Council.

The Pension Board meets at least quarterly. A majority of either side, trade union or employer representatives, may requisition a special meeting of the Pension Board in exceptional circumstances.

While the statutory roles and function of the Pension Fund Sub-committee and Pension Board are separate, the normal practice is that both bodies meet at the same time to consider the same agenda, with the Chair of the Pension Fund Sub-committee chairing the concurrent meeting. The Council’s Standing Orders apply at concurrent meetings. The aim is to engender a positive and proactive partnership culture where in practice the two bodies act as one.

During the year 2021/22 there was no disagreement however, if the Pension Fund Sub-committee and Pension Board cannot reach joint agreement on any matter the process for resolving any differences between the two bodies is as follows:

• In the first instance, if at least half of the members of the Pension Board agree, then the Pension Board can defer a decision of the Pension Fund Sub-committee for further consideration if any of the defined grounds are met. Whilst this process is undertaken the decision of the Pension Fund Sub-committee is still competent.
• If there is no agreement after the matter has been referred back to the Pension Fund Sub-committee, the decision of the Pension Fund Sub-committee stands and the difference in view between the Pension Board and the Pension Fund Sub-committee will be published in the form of a joint secretarial report on the Pension Fund website, included in the Pension Fund annual report and notified to the Scottish LGPS Advisory Board, and
• The Scottish LGPS Scheme Advisory Board may also consider and take a view on the matter and, if considered appropriate, provide advice to the Scheme Manager or the Pension Board in relation to the matter.

Administration and Financial Management of the Fund

The Council’s Corporate Director of Enterprise & Sustainable Regeneration is the Officer with responsibility to ensure proper administration of the Council’s financial affairs in terms of Section 95 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973.

The Corporate Director of Enterprise & Sustainable Regeneration is responsible for:

• The financial accounting of the Fund.
• The preparation of the Pension Fund Annual Report and Accounts.
• Being the principal advisor on management of investments to the Council in its capacity as Trustee to the Fund and as the Fund’s Administering Authority.

The day-to-day management of the investment activities of the Fund is administered by the Corporate Finance Team within the Enterprise & Sustainable Regeneration Service.

The pension benefits policy oversight and day-to-day administration for the Fund is administered by the Pensions Team within the Enterprise & Sustainable Regeneration Service.

The annual financial statement of the Fund is subject to external audit. The auditors are appointed by Audit Scotland, as part of the process to ensure that public funds are properly safeguarded and accounted for.

Professional Advisers and External Service Providers

Hymans Robertson is appointed to act as Actuary and Investment Consultants to the Fund. The services provided include advice on investment strategy, funding level and actuarial valuations. Hymans Robertson also provides independent performance measurement services for the Fund and has responsibility for measuring and reporting on the performance of the Fund during the year.

The implementation of the revised investment strategy approved in February 2019 involved Fund Manager appointments to new Infrastructure Equity, Private Debt and Bonds mandates. The Bonds mandate was fully funded in May 2020, while the Infrastructure Equity was fully drawn down in December 2021. An additional commitment to a new Private Debt fund was made during 2021/2022 and the drawdown to both funds continued throughout the financial year.

The Fund’s appointed investment managers have responsibility for the selection, retention, and disposal of individual investments. Where appropriate, they also implement the Pension Fund Sub-committee’s policy in relation to socially responsible investment and corporate governance. All fund managers are required to be signatories of the United Nations’ Principles for Responsible Investment.

The Bank of New York Mellon is the Fund’s appointed global custodian and is responsible for the safekeeping of the assets including the processing of transactions and submission of tax claims.

Internal and External Control and Review

The system of internal financial controls is based on a framework of delegation and accountability for officers and elected members embodied in procedural standing orders, financial regulations, scheme of delegation, scheme of administration, committees, and sub-committees. It is supported by a framework of administrative procedures including the segregation of duties, and regular financial management information. In particular this includes:

• Comprehensive accounting systems that record income and expenditure for both member and investment activities.
• Regular reviews of investment reports that measure investment returns against agreed benchmarks.
• Regular reviews of investment manager reports that measure performance against agreed targets.
• Independent performance reviews of the Fund by the Fund’s investment consultant and performance monitoring services provider.

The system can provide only reasonable and not absolute assurance that assets are safeguarded, transactions authorised and properly recorded, and that material errors or irregularities are either prevented or would be detected within a timely period.

The Pension Fund responds to findings and recommendations of external audit, scrutiny and inspection bodies and the Orkney Islands Council’s independent internal audit section. The Monitoring and Audit Committee is integral to overseeing independent and objective assurance and monitoring improvements in internal control and governance.

The Pensions team within the Payroll and Pension section consists of 4 full time equivalents.

The Corporate Director of Enterprise & Sustainable Regeneration (Section 95 officer) for the Council as Administering Authority is responsible for ensuring the proper administration of the financial affairs of the Pension Fund. This includes ensuring appropriate advice is made available to the Pension Fund on all financial matters, keeping proper financial records and accounts, and maintaining an effective system of internal financial control.

The Chief Internal Auditor (CIA) reports to the Monitoring and Audit Committee and functionally to the Head of Legal and Governance who is also the Council’s Monitoring Officer. He is in regular contact with the Head of Finance and Monitoring Officer. The CIA provides an independent and objective internal audit annual report and assurance statement on the effectiveness of internal control, risk management and governance based on the delivery of an approved plan of systematic and continuous internal audit review of the Council’s arrangements.

Given the structural size of the Council, there are common controls over Council systems and pension systems. Internal audit’s work on Council systems also contributes to providing management assurance that Pension Fund operations and transactions are appropriately controlled.

Counter Fraud and Anti-Corruption

Effective counter fraud and anti-corruption arrangements are developed and maintained in accordance with the Code of Practice on Managing the Risk of Fraud and Corruption. This includes, but is not limited to, ensuring established systems of internal controls and security are in place, segregation of duties and supervisory checking of all calculations, and internal audit and monitoring arrangements.

The increased risk of fraud and scams arising from the COVID-19 pandemic is also being managed on an ongoing basis, focusing on staff support, communication of potential scams and close monitoring of checks prior to any transfers out being completed. These steps are further enhanced by the development of a new on-line training course which is mandatory for all Finance staff.

Risk Management

The Fund’s Risk Register was last reviewed and updated at the concurrent meetings of the Pension Fund Sub-committee together with the Pensions Board on 23 February 2022. The risk register incorporates a risk matrix to clearly demonstrate the Pension Funds current threats relative to the individual risks anticipated, and a summary and prioritisation of risks to indicate the descriptive risks ranking.

Risk awareness is embedded into the investment performance management process. The main changes identified in the last review of the risk register were as follows:

• The risk added in 2021 regarding working from home whenever possible in accordance with Government COVID-19 mitigation measures has been lowered due to a gradual return to the workplace in compliance with Government guidance.
• The likelihood of the risk regarding recruitment and retention of new staff has been increased due to the fact that the Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals has stopped providing the ability to study for a pension qualification in Scotland, although this may be re-introduced in the future.
• A further risk added in 2021 regarding an increased risk of fraud and scams due to the COVID-19 pandemic has been reduced due to the new Pension Regulator provisions introduced in November 2021 to strengthen the checks to take place prior to any transfers out being made.
• The risk regarding changes in legislation and other regulatory frameworks now includes specific mention to the outcome of the consultation into the creation of a National Care Service, which is ongoing and the outcome of which is currently unknown. The ranking of this risk is unchanged.

The full risk register is available under the related download section via the following link to the Council’s website:

https://www.orkney.gov.uk/Service-Directory/S/pension-fund-sub-committeepension-board.htm

Significant Governance Issues

The system of governance aims to provide reasonable, but not absolute, assurance that assets are safeguarded, transactions are authorised and properly recorded, material errors or irregularities are either prevented or detected within a timely period and significant risks impacting on the achievement of our objectives have been mitigated to an acceptable level. A review of effectiveness of the governance framework has not identified any significant governance issues or control weaknesses in the Pension Fund’s governance arrangements.

There were no issues highlighted in the Annual Audit Report for financial year 2020–2021. The following updates were provided to prior year recommendations not yet implemented as at 31 March 2021:

• No register is held by the Fund detailing breaches of the Pensions Regulator Public Service Code, there is a risk that an issue is not raised with management which requires to be reported.

  While noting that no breaches of the Code have been made during the year, work is ongoing to produce a register detailing any breaches of the Pensions Regulator Public Service Code. This recommendation is now complete with the Register of Breaches created by the Pension and Payroll Manager in November 2021.

• It was not possible to identify the Fund’s share of assets from the valuation of investments provided by Barings, and that no work had been done to validate the valuation of the pooled fund provided by Barings. There is a risk that a misstatement in the valuation is not noticed by the Fund on a timely basis.

  The Fund receives regular Net Asset Value statements from the pooled fund which details both the number of units held and current market value. The nature of a pooled fund is such that individual investors hold multiple units in the fund rather than a direct share of the assets. The value of the units themselves are derived from aggregating the valuation of the investments held by pooled fund. It is considered that the regular preparation of the performance reports by Investment Advisers provides assurance that the asset valuations provided by the fund manager are reasonable and in line with expectation.

Access to Information

Pension Fund Sub-committee papers, minutes and the Funds Annual Audit Report and Accounts are available via the Council’s website https://www.orkney.gov.uk/.

Opinion

Our review of the effectiveness of the system of internal financial control is informed by:

• The work of Internal Audit and the professional pensions and accountancy staff within the Council.
• The External Auditor’s reports.
• The Corporate Director of Enterprise & Sustainable Regeneration (Section 95 Officer), whose duties include putting in place the arrangements for the proper administration of financial affairs of the Pension Fund.

The internal financial control environment was enhanced through the adoption in 2015 of a Risk Register, Procedural Standing Orders, and the establishment of a scheme of delegation for the Pension Fund Sub-committee and supported by the Pension Board.

It is our opinion that reasonable assurance can be placed upon the adequacy and effectiveness of the Council’s internal financial control systems during the year ended 31 March 2022.

Councillor James Stockan
Leader
17 November 2022

John W Mundell, OBE
Interim Chief Executive
16 November 2022

Governance Compliance Statement

The Regulations that govern the management of LGPS funds in Scotland require that a Governance Compliance Statement is published. The following compliance statement sets out the extent to which the Orkney Islands Council Pension Fund governance arrangements comply with best practice.

Gareth Waterson, BAcc, CA
Section 95 Officer
16 November 2022

Councillor James Stockan
Leader
17 November 2022

John W Mundell, OBE
Interim Chief Executive
16 November 2022

Annual Accounts 2021–2022

Pension Fund Account

The Pension Fund Account sets out all income and expenditure of the Pension Fund.

Net Assets Statement as at 31 March 2022

The Net Assets Statement sets out the value, as at the statement date, of all assets and current liabilities of the Fund. The net assets of the Fund (assets less current liabilities) represent the funds available to provide for pension benefits as at 31 March 2022.

The Fund Account and Net Assets Statement do not show any liability to pay pensions or other benefits in the future. The liability to pay pensions is detailed in Note 4 Actuarial Present Value of Promised Retirement Benefits.

The audited accounts were issued on 16 November 2022.

Gareth Waterson, BAcc, CA
Section 95 Officer
16 November 2022

Notes to the Annual Accounts

1. The Local Government Pension Scheme

The Local Government Pension Scheme is a funded defined benefit scheme, established under the Superannuation Act 1972, with pensioners receiving index-linked pensions. It is administered by Orkney Islands Council in accordance with The Local Government Pension Scheme (Scotland) Regulations 2014 (as amended) and was contracted out of the State Second Pension until the 6 April 2016 when the new State Pension was introduced. The Pension Fund is subject to a triennial valuation by an independent, qualified Actuary, whose report indicates the required future employer’s contributions.

2. Basis of Preparation of the Financial Statements

Local authorities have a duty under section 12 of the Local Government in Scotland Act 2003 to observe proper accounting practices.

The accounts for the Fund have been prepared in accordance with the Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting in the United Kingdom 2021–2022 which is based upon International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), as amended for the UK public sector.

3. Statement of Accounting Policies

A summary of the more important accounting policies has been set out below:

3.1. Basis of Preparation

The accounts have been prepared on an accruals basis and do not take account of liabilities to pay pensions and other benefits after the year end. However, the actuarial position does account for such obligations. This is disclosed in Note 4 of the accounts and should be read in conjunction with the Actuarial Statement (Annex 2). The going concern concept assumes that the Pension Fund will continue in existence for the foreseeable future.

3.2. Transfers to and from other schemes

Transfer values represent the amounts receivable and payable during the year for members who have either joined or left the Fund during the financial year and are calculated in accordance with the LGPS Regulations.

Individual transfers in/out are accounted for when receivable/payable, which is normally when the member liability is accepted or discharged.

Transfers to the Fund from members wishing to use the proceeds of their additional voluntary contributions to purchase scheme benefits are accounted for on a receivables basis and are included in Transfers in.

Bulk (group) transfers are accounted for on an accruals basis in accordance with the terms of the transfer agreement.

3.3. Financial Instruments

Investments

Investment assets are included in the financial statements on a fair value basis as at the reporting date. A financial asset is recognised in the net assets statement on the date the fund becomes party to the contractual acquisition of the asset. From this date any gains or losses arising from changes in the fair value of the asset are recognised in the fund account.

The values of investments as shown in the net assets statement have been determined at a fair value in accordance with the requirements of the Code and IFRS 13 (see note 14). For the purposes of disclosing levels of fair value hierarchy, the fund has adopted the classification guidelines recommended in Practical Guidance on Investment Disclosures.

Market values, which are assessed as follows:

1. Market quoted securities are valued at bid market prices on the final day of the accounting period.
2. Fixed interest securities are valued at a market value based on current yields at 31 March 2022.
3. Pooled investments, which comprise the fund manager's unit trusts and open-ended investment companies, are valued at closing bid prices where bid and offer prices are published or closing single price where single price is published.
4. Unquoted equity/debt and infrastructure asset valuations are provided by fund administrators following independent validation.

Since investments are all held for trading, disclosure in the accounts is at fair value through profit and loss. Fair values are derived from unadjusted quoted prices in active markets.

3.4. Recognition of Income and Expenditure

Activity is accounted for in the year in which it takes place, not simply when cash payments are made or received. In particular:

1. Expenses in relation to services received (including services provided by Orkney Islands Council) are recorded as expenditure when the services are received rather than when payments are made.
2. Dividend income is recognised when the right to receive payment is established.
3. Where income and expenditure have been recognised but cash has not been received or paid, a debtor or creditor for the relevant amount is recorded in the Net Assets Statement.

3.5. Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash is represented by cash in hand and deposits with financial institutions repayable without penalty on notice of not more than 24 hours. Cash equivalents are investments that mature in less than three months from the date of acquisition and that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash with insignificant risk of change in value.

3.6. Administrative Overheads

The Payroll and Pensions section of Orkney Islands Council is responsible for administering the Pension Fund. The Section receives an allocation of the overheads of the Council which is based on its direct cost and the amount of central services consumed.

3.7. Prior Period Adjustments, Changes in Accounting Policies and Estimates and Errors

Prior period adjustments may arise as a result of a change in accounting policies or to correct a material error. Changes in accounting estimates are accounted for prospectively, i.e., in the current and future years affected by the change and do not give rise to a prior period adjustment.

Changes in accounting policies are only made when required by proper accounting practices or the change provides more reliable or relevant information about the effect of transactions, other events and conditions on the Fund’s financial position or financial performance. Where a change is made, it is applied retrospectively (unless stated otherwise) by adjusting opening balances and comparative amounts for the prior period as if the new policy had always been applied.

Material errors discovered in prior period figures are corrected retrospectively by amending opening balances and comparative amounts for the prior period.

3.8. Investment Income

Income from fixed interest, index linked securities and other interest receivable is taken into account on an accruals basis. Income from all other marketable securities is taken into account on the date when stocks are quoted ex-dividend.

3.9. Contributions Income

Normal contributions, both from the members and employers, are accounted for on an accruals basis.

Employers' augmentation contributions and pension strain costs are accounted for in the period in which the liability arises. Any amounts due in the year but unpaid will be classed as current financial assets.

Augmentation contributions are contributions paid to the Fund by an employer where that employer awards compensatory added years to a scheme member at retirement. Strain costs are contributions paid to the Fund by an employer where a scheme member, aged 55 or over, chooses to retire prior to normal pension age and the employer elects to waive any reductions normally applied to the member’s pension benefits. Strain costs are also paid to the Fund by an employer where a scheme member, aged 55 or over, retires prior to normal pension age and the grounds for retirement are redundancy or efficiency.

3.10. Foreign Currency

Income and expenditure arising from transactions denominated in a foreign currency are translated into £ sterling at the exchange rate in operation on the date on which the transaction occurred. Where the transaction is to be settled at a contracted rate, that rate is used.

3.11. Management Expenses

Management expenses includes direct management fees from external fund managers appointed to manage a segregated portfolio(s) of investments, indirect management charges levied on pool funds, transactions costs and expenses associated with the administration and governance of the Fund.

3.12. Acquisition Cost

Any acquisition costs of investments are included in the book cost of the investment.

3.13. Critical Judgements in Applying Accounting Policies Pension Fund Liability

The Pension Fund liability is calculated every three years by the appointed actuary. The methodology used is in line with accepted guidelines and in accordance with International Accounting Standard IAS 26. The judgements which have the greatest impact on pension fund liabilities are those around the discount rate, the inflation rate, and the life expectancy of members.

3.14. Assumptions made about the future and other major sources of estimation and uncertainty

The Statement of Accounts contains estimated figures that are based on assumptions made by the Pension Fund about the future or that are otherwise uncertain. Estimates are made taking into account historical experience, current trends, and other relevant factors. However, because such factors cannot be determined with certainty, actual results could be materially different from the assumptions and estimate. The items in the financial statements at 31 March 2022 for which there is a significant risk of material adjustment in the forthcoming financial year are as follows:

The sensitivities regarding the principal assumptions used to measure the scheme liabilities are set out below:

3.15. Accounting Standards that were issued but not yet adopted

The Code requires the disclosure of information relating to the impact of an accounting change that will be required by a new standard that has been issued but not yet adopted. The following new or amended standards have been published but not yet adopted:

• Definition of a Business: Amendments to IFRS 3 Business Combinations
• Interest Rate Benchmark Reform: Amendments to IFRS 9, IAS 39 and IFRS 7
• Interest Rate Benchmark Reform – Phase 2: Amendments to IFRS 9, IAS 39, IFRS 7, IFRS 4 and IFRS 16.

These amendments help give clarification or are generally minor in nature, and as such are not expected to have a significant impact on the Pension Fund.

3.16. Events after the Balance Sheet

Events after the net assets statement date are those events, both favourable and unfavourable, that occur between the end of the reporting period and the date when the Statement of Accounts is authorised for issue. Two types of events can be identified:

• 3.16.1. those that provide evidence of conditions that existed at the end of the reporting period – the Statement of Accounts is adjusted to reflect such events.
• 3.16.2. those that are indicative of conditions that arose after the reporting period – the Statement of Accounts is not adjusted to reflect such events, but where a category of events would have a material effect, disclosure is made in the notes of the nature of the events and their estimated financial effect.

The draft annual accounts were signed by the Corporate Director of Enterprise & Sustainable Regeneration on 30 June 2022. Events taking place after the date of authorisation for issue have not been reflected in the financial statements. Material events between the balance sheet date and the date of signing have been considered and where necessary reflected in the financial statements.

4. Actuarial Present Value of Promised Retirement Benefits

The Fund’s actuary undertakes a valuation of the Fund’s liabilities to pay future retirement benefits. This is calculated in line with the IAS 19 every year using the same base data as the triennial funding valuation, rolled forward to the current financial year and taking into account changes in membership numbers and updated assumptions.

In order to assess the value of liabilities on this basis, the actuary has updated the actuarial assumptions (set out below) from those used for funding purposes (see Annex 2).

The actuarial present value of promised retirement benefits at 31 March 2022 was £485m (2021: £496m).

This figure is used for statutory accounting purposes by Orkney Islands Council Pension Fund and complies with the requirements of IAS 26 Accounting and Reporting by Retirement Benefit Plans. The IAS 26 valuation is not used for calculations undertaken for funding purposes and setting contributions payable to the Fund and has no validity in other circumstances.

Financial Assumptions

Assumptions underpinning the valuations are agreed with the actuary and are summarised in Note 29.

Longevity Assumptions

*Future pensioners are assumed to be aged 45 as at the last formal valuation.

Commutation assumption

An allowance is included for future retirees to elect to take 50% of the maximum additional tax-free cash up to HMRC limits for pre-April 2009 service and 75% of the maximum tax-free cash for post-April 2009 service.

5. Analysis of Contributions Receivable

6. Analysis of Benefits Payable

Orkney Islands Council, the administering authority, is at present the only scheduled body.

7. Transfers In

Transfers into the scheme during 2021–2022 were £0.8m (2020–2021: £0.6m). This represents the total of transfer values in respect of individual members joining the scheme.

8. Payments to and on Account of Leavers

*Visit Scotland transferred out during 2020/2021.

9. Investment income

10. Change in the Market Value of Investments

11. Analysis of Investments

As at 31 March 2022 the market value of the assets under management is as follows:

The following table provides an analysis of investments by fund manager:

12. Reconciliation of Movements in Investments

Investments decreased in value to £506.9m as at 31 March 2022 (2021: £520.3m) a movement of £13.4m.

During 2021–2022, sales of investments totalled £82.3m and purchases totalled £90.6m, including £30.5m and £30.4m respectively relating to the transitioning to the revised investment strategy. Transaction costs are included in the cost of purchases and sales proceeds.

The following individual investments exceed 5% of the total value of the net assets of the Pension Fund at 31 March 2022.

13. Investment Transactions

2021–2022

2020–2021

14. Fair Value Hierarchy

Assets and liabilities have been classified into three levels, according to the quality and reliability of information used to determine fair value.

Level 1

Assets and liabilities at Level 1 are those where the fair values are derived from unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Products classified as Level 1 comprise quoted equities, quoted bonds, and quoted unit trusts.

Level 2

Assets and liabilities at Level 2 are those where quoted market prices are not available, for example where an instrument is traded in a market that is not considered to be active or where valuation techniques are used to determine fair value based on observable data.

Level 3

Assets and liabilities at Level 3 are those where at least one input that could have a significant effect on the instruments’ valuation is not based on observable market data.

The fund manager uses various valuation techniques that require significant judgement in determining appropriate assumptions.

Valuations on the private debt are prepared in accordance with the International Private Equity and Venture Capital Valuation Guidelines, which follow the valuation principles of International Financial Reporting Standards and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.

Valuations on infrastructure assets are carried out by independent valuers with extensive experience, resources, and reputation. Independent valuers are rotated every 3 years by tender process. The valuation methodology is determined by the independent valuer subject to meeting appropriate accounting standards.

The following table provides an analysis of the financial assets of the Fund, grouped into Levels 1, 2 and 3, based on the level at which the fair value is observable.

Transfers Between Levels 1 and 2

There have been no transfers between Levels 1 and 2 during 2021/2022.

Reconciliation of Fair Value Measurements Within Level 3

Basis of Valuation

The basis of valuation of each class is set out below. There have been no changes in the valuation techniques used during the year. All assets have been valued using fair value techniques which represents the highest and best price available at the reporting date.

Sensitivity of Assets Valued at Level 3

Having analysed historical data, current market trends and consulted with independent advisors, the Fund has determined that the valuation methods described above are likely to be accurate to within the following ranges and has set out the consequent potential impact on the closing value of investments held at 31 March 2022.

The underlying assets in private debt are a series of privately originated loans. The underlying assets in the infrastructure fund are high quality, essential and long-duration infrastructure. As such the valuations of these loans could move due to changes in a number of factors and assumptions including short term interest rates, inflation, the outlook for the profitability of the component companies and the likelihood of these companies to repay the loans. The potential movement of +/– 9.0% reflects the extent to which this value could vary based on each of these factors and assumptions.

15. Financial Instruments

Categories of Financial Instruments

The following categories of financial instrument are carried in the Net Assets Statement:

Income, Expenses, Gains and Losses

Fair Values of Assets and Liabilities

Financial assets represented by investments are carried in the Net Assets Statement at their current market value (bid price), as determined by the investment manager and the global custodian, based on a Fair Value Hierarchy detailed at Note 14.

16. Risk and Risk Management

The Fund’s primary long-term risk is that the Fund’s assets fall short of its liabilities (i.e., promised benefits payable to members). Therefore, the aim of investment risk management is to minimise the risk of an overall reduction in the value of the Fund and to maximise the opportunity for gains across the whole Fund portfolio. The Fund achieves this through asset diversification to reduce exposure to market risk (price risk, currency risk and interest rate risk) and credit risk to an acceptable level. In addition, the Fund manages its liquidity risk to ensure there is sufficient liquidity to meet the Fund’s forecast cash flows. Responsibility for managing the Fund’s risk rests with the Pension Fund Sub-committee, revised investment strategy was approved in February 2019.

16.1. Market risk

Market risk is the risk of loss from fluctuations in equity and commodity prices, interest and foreign exchange rates and credit spreads. The Fund is exposed to market risk from its investment activities, particularly through its equity holdings. The level of risk exposure depends on market conditions, expectations of future price and yield movements and the asset mix. The objective of the Funding Strategy is to identify, manage and control market risk exposure within acceptable parameters, whilst optimising the return on risk.

In general, excessive volatility in market risk is managed through the diversification of the portfolio in terms of geographical and industry sectors and individual securities. To mitigate market risk, the Council and its Investment Advisors undertake appropriate monitoring of market conditions and benchmark analysis.

Sensitivity analysis

In consultation with the Fund’s independent provider of performance and analytical data (Hymans Robertson), the Council has determined that the following movements in market price risk are reasonably possible for the reporting period.

Potential price changes are determined based on the observed historical volatility of asset class returns. The potential volatilities are consistent with a one standard deviation movement in the change in value of the assets over the latest three years. Had the market price of the Fund investments increased/decreased in line with the above, the change in the net assets available to pay benefits would have been as follows:

The total Fund volatility takes into account the expected interactions between the different asset classes shown, based on the underlying volatilities and correlations of the assets, in line with mean variance portfolio theory.

16.2. Interest Rate Risk

The Fund invests in financial assets for the primary purpose of obtaining a return on investments. These investments are subject to interest rate risks, which represent the risk that the fair value or future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in market interest rates.

The Fund’s interest rate risk is routinely monitored by the Council and its Investment Advisers, including monitoring the exposure to interest rates and assessment of actual interest rates against the relevant benchmarks.

The Fund’s direct exposure to interest rate movements as at 31 March 2022 and 31 March 2021 is set out below. These disclosures present interest rate risk based on the underlying financial assets at fair value:

Sensitivity analysis

The Council recognises that interest rates can vary and can affect both income to the Fund and the value of the net assets available to pay benefits.

The analysis that follows assumes that all other variables, in particular exchange rates, remain constant, and shows the effect in the year on the net assets available to pay benefits of a 1% change in interest rates:

16.3. Currency Exposure Risk

Currency risk represents the risk that the fair value of future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in foreign exchange rates. The Fund is exposed to currency risk on financial instruments that are denominated in any currency other than the functional currency of the Fund (£UK). The Fund is invested in both private debt and equities overseas that are denominated in currencies other than £UK. The Fund also holds a low level of bonds denominated in overseas currencies.

The following table summarises the Fund’s currency exposure at 31 March 2022:

Sensitivity analysis

Following analysis of historical data in consultation with Hymans Robertson, the council considers the likely volatility associated with foreign exchange movements to be 9.5%.

A 9.5% fluctuation is considered reasonable based on Hyman’s analysis of long-term historical movements. This analysis assumes that all other variables, in particular interest rates, remain constant.

A 9.5% strengthening/weakening of the pound against the various currencies in which the fund holds investments would increase/decrease the net assets available to pay benefits as follows:

16.4. Credit Risk

Credit risk represents the risk that the counterparty to a transaction or a financial instrument will fail to discharge an obligation and cause the Fund to incur a financial loss. The market values of investments generally reflect an assessment of credit in their pricing and consequently the risk of loss is implicitly provided for in the carrying value of the Fund’s financial assets and liabilities. The selection of high-quality counterparties, brokers and financial institutions minimises credit risk that may occur through the failure to settle a transaction in a timely manner.

The Council’s Annual Treasury Management Strategy Statement sets out the Fund’s approach to credit risk for internally managed funds. Deposits are not made with banks and financial institutions unless they are rated independently and meet the Council’s credit criteria. The Strategy has also set limits as to the maximum percentage of the deposits placed with any one class of financial institution.

The Fund believes it has managed its exposure to credit risk, and the Fund has had no experience of default or uncollectable deposits over the past five financial years. The Fund’s cash holding under its treasury management arrangements at 31 March 2022, including current account cash, was £0.006m. (31 March 2021: £0.006m). The Fund also held cash under its investment management arrangement. This was held with the following institutions:

16.5. Liquidity Risk

Liquidity risk represents the risk that the Fund will not be able to meet its financial obligations as they fall due. The Council therefore takes steps to ensure that the Pension Fund has adequate cash resources to meet its commitments.

The Council has immediate access to its Pension Fund cash holdings.

The Fund defines liquid assets as assets that can be converted to cash within three months. Illiquid assets are those assets which will take longer than three months to convert into cash. As at 31 March 2022, the Fund had illiquid assets of £46.981m (2020–2021: £15.366m).

17. Current Assets

18. Current Liabilities

19. Management Expenses

20. Code of Transparency

The Code of Transparency enables a greater understanding of the investment process and better cost management though the fund managers disclosure of transaction costs.

Total transaction costs for each asset class are detailed below:

2021–2022

2020–2021

The nature of the transaction costs groups are as follows:

• Transaction Taxes – includes stamp duty and any other financial transaction taxes.
• Broker Commissions – payments for execution services, including exchange fees, settlement fees and clearing fees.
• Implicit Costs – indirect costs associated with buying and selling securities, being an estimate of market impact.
• Indirect Transaction Costs – transaction costs incurred within pooled funds when they buy and sell their underlying investments.

In addition to the transaction costs, the portfolio has incurred indirect fees of £281,014 (2020–2021: £338,513) paid from the Net Asset Value of the pooled funds.

21. Audit Fees

In 2021–2022 the agreed audit fee for the year was £22,090 (2020–2021: £21,490).

22. Agency Arrangements

The Orkney Islands Council Pension Fund pays discretionary pensions to former employees of Orkney Islands Council who were awarded compensatory added years in accordance with the Orkney Islands Council’s Early Retirement and Severance Scheme, but subject to limitations set out in the Local Government (Discretionary Payments and Injury Benefits) (Scotland) Regulation 1998. The amounts paid are not included within the Fund Account but are provided as a service and fully reclaimed from the Council. The total amount of these payments was £245k in 2021–2022 (2020–2021: £252k).

Members of the Fund who elected before 1 April 2008 to purchase added years of membership can continue to do so unless the member elects to cease the contract. Administration of added years’ contracts is carried out by the Orkney Islands Council Pension Fund on behalf of Orkney Islands Council. Costs borne by the fund relating to added years are incorporated into the overall administration cost and are immaterial in value.

23. Statement of Investment Principles and Funding Strategy Statement

The Council as Administering Authority approved its current Statement of Investment Principles in February 2020. The Statement defines the Fund’s operational framework insofar as investments are concerned. It is reviewed periodically to ensure that it continues to reflect the needs of the Fund and the views of its stakeholders.

The Funding Strategy Statement defines how the Fund intends to meet its financial obligations and was effective from 10 May 2018.

Both these documents are available on the Council website under the related download section here, and are also available on request from the Council’s Head of Finance.

24. Investment Management Arrangements

The Orkney Islands Council Pension Fund investments are managed on an active basis by external fund managers, with the exception of the Bonds which are allocated to a specialist passive manager.

From the 1 April 2017 the benchmark is a fund specific benchmark which means managed investment funds are measured against a range of indices reflecting the weighting or concentration of individual asset classes within the approved investment strategy. The target is to outperform the bespoke benchmark over rolling five-year periods.

25. Stock Lending

In accordance with the Statement of Investment Principles 2020, stock lending is not permitted within any of its segregated investment mandates. As at 31 March 2022 no stock had been released to a third party under a stock lending arrangement.

26. Related Party Transactions

Orkney Islands Council Pension Fund is administered by Orkney Islands Council. The Council incurred costs of £0.314m (2020–2021: £0.316m) in relation to administration of the Fund and was subsequently reimbursed by the Fund for these expenses. The Council is also the single largest employer of members of the Pension Fund and contributed £7.33m to the fund in 2021–2022 (2020–2021: £7.00m). With the exception of the year end creditor balance shown at Note 18 all monies owing to and from the Fund were paid in the year.

The Fund had a balance due from Orkney Islands Council of £0.79m as at 31 March 2022 (£0.06m 31 March 2021).

All the members of the Pensions Sub-committee and the members of the Pensions Board are active members of the pension scheme. Each Councillor is required to declare any financial or pecuniary interest related to specific matters on the agenda at each meeting.

The employees who hold key positions in the financial management of the Pension Fund; and their financial relationship with the fund (expressed as cash-equivalent transfer values) are set out below:

*With effect from 16-8-2021.

27. Membership Details

Under the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), member contributions are paid on a tiered basis, the contribution rate being determined by the amount of salary falling into each earnings tier.

Eligibility to join the scheme

Orkney Islands Council employees with a contract for 3 months duration or more are automatically entered into the LGPS. Employees with a contract of less than 3 months duration will be automatically enrolled into the LGPS if they satisfy the automatic enrolment criteria, however they can opt in if they do not meet the automatic enrolment criteria.

A person employed by a community admission body, or a person employed by a transferee admission body is eligible to be a member if the person, or class of employees to which the person belongs, is designated in the admission agreement by the body as being eligible for membership of the Scheme.

If they satisfy the above statement, they should be automatically entered into the LGPS if they have a contract for 3 months or more otherwise, they can opt in if they have a contract for less than 3 months.

Employees of community admission bodies and transferee admission bodies are also enrolled into the Local Government Pension Scheme if they satisfy the auto enrolment criteria.

The following table gives details of the various bodies’ membership.

28. Scheme Arrangements

Career Average Revalued Earnings Scheme (CARE) – LGPS 2015

A number of important changes have been made to the LGPS from 1 April 2015. The changes, which have been agreed between the Trade Unions, COSLA and the Scottish Government, ensure that the Scheme complies with the terms of the Public Pensions Act 2013.

From 1 April 2015 the pension Scheme moved away from a final salary to a career average revalued earnings scheme (CARE).

The main changes of this scheme were:

• A move towards benefits being worked out using career average revalued earnings (CARE) rather than final salary.
• Pensions being built up at a rate of 1/49th of annual pensionable pay.
• Member’s normal retirement age being linked to their own State Pension Age. Members may still be able to retire from age 60 but a reduction for early payment may apply.
• Protection of benefits for members aged 55 and over at 1 April 2012 who will be guaranteed that their benefits will not be less than they would have been if the 2015 scheme had never been introduced, and
• Benefits built up before April 2015 will continue to be calculated using actual final pensionable pay at date of leaving.

29. Funding and Valuation Note

In line with the Local Government Pension Scheme (Scotland) Regulations 2018, the Fund’s actuary undertakes a funding valuation every three years. The actuarial valuation assesses the health of the fund and provides a check that the funding strategy and assumptions used are appropriate. It also sets the future rates of contributions payable by employers. The most recent full actuarial valuation by the Fund’s actuaries Hymans Robertson was to 31 March 2020. The next valuation will take place as at 31 March 2023.

The key elements of the funding policy are:

• To ensure the long-term solvency of the Fund, i.e., that sufficient funds are available to meet all pension liabilities as they fall due for payment.
• To ensure that employer contribution rates are as stable as possible.
• To minimise the long-term cost of the scheme by recognising the link between assets and liabilities and adopting an investment strategy that balances risk and return.
• To reflect the different characteristics of employing bodies in determining contribution rates where the administering authority considers it reasonable to do so.
• To use reasonable measures to reduce the risk to other employers and ultimately to the council taxpayer from an employer defaulting on its pension obligations.

The aim is to maintain 100% solvency over a period of 20 years and to provide stability in employer contribution rates by spreading any increases in rates over a period of time.

Solvency is achieved when the funds held, plus future expected investment returns, and contributions are sufficient to meet expected future pension benefits payable.

At the 2020 actuarial valuation, the Fund was assessed as 118.0% funded (112.7% at the March 2017 valuation). This corresponded to a surplus of £58m (2017 valuation: surplus of £38m) at that time.

The assessed Primary contribution rate for 1 April 2021 – 31 March 2024 at March 2020 was 24.0%. On applying a Secondary contribution rate of -7.0% to give a required minimum contribution, against the background of increased uncertainty over the future impacting on actuarial assumptions the employer contribution rate will be maintained at 17.0% for the three-year period 2021 to 2024.

In accordance with the Funding Strategy Statement the administering authority has adopted employer contributions of 17.0% for 2021–2022. The valuation of the Fund has been undertaken using a ‘risk based’ approach which considers how each employer’s assets and liabilities may evolve over the future. The principal assumptions were:

Mortality assumptions

The mortality assumptions used and applied to all members are based on the Self-Administered Pension Schemes year of birth tables with no further improvements in lifespans estimated from 2020.

30. Additional Voluntary Contributions

Under Inland Revenue rules, scheme members are permitted to make contributions towards retirement and death in service benefits in addition to those which they are required to make as members of the Local Government Pension Scheme. These contributions are known as Additional Voluntary Contributions and are treated separately from the scheme's assets under arrangement with Prudential Assurance Company Limited.

During the year 2021–2022 member contributions amounted to £0.517m (2020–2021: £0.462m).

Member’s contributions are invested in a “with profits” Fund or a “deposit” Fund. During the year the value of AVC investments decreased by £1.642m to £1.173m as at 31 March 2021 (2020.21: £0.312m) excluding the final bonus.

31. Contingent Liabilities and Contractual Commitments

In recognition of legal judgements, the funding valuation position included an allowance for full Guaranteed Minimum Pension equalisation (indexation) treatment since 31 March 2020. A further ruling on Guaranteed Minimum Pension historical transfers is unlikely to be significant in terms of impact on the pension obligations. An allowance for the estimated impact of the McCloud judgement is also included within the funding valuation position noted above. Whilst there is still uncertainty surrounding the potential remedy to the Goodwin judgement the approximate impact is likely to be minimal, therefore there has been no adjustment applied to the valuation.

The results of the 2017 cost cap will be finalised in 2021/22 and are not anticipated to impact on the employer contribution rates recently certified and put in place by the LGPS administering authority from 1 April 2021.

As at the 31 March 2022, as part of the transitioning arrangements to the revised investment strategy, the Fund had contractual commitments to invest up to £2.6m and £32.0m across two new mandates to Private Debt. The drawdowns of these commitments are expected to continue over the next two years and will be funded from within the Fund’s portfolio of investments.

Independent Auditor’s Report

Independent auditor’s report to the members of Orkney Islands Council as administering authority for Orkney Islands Council Pension Fund and the Accounts Commission

Reporting on the audit of the financial statements

Opinion on financial statements

I certify that I have audited the financial statements in the annual report of Orkney Islands Council Pension Fund (the fund) for the year ended 31 March 2022 under Part VII of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973. The financial statements comprise the Pension Fund Account, the Net Assets Statement, and notes to the annual accounts, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and UK adopted international accounting standards, as interpreted, and adapted by the Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting in the United Kingdom 2021/22 (the 2021/22 Code).

In my opinion the accompanying financial statements:

• give a true and fair view in accordance with applicable law and the 2021/22 Code of the financial transactions of the fund during the year ended 31 March 2022 and of the amount and disposition at that date of its assets and liabilities;
• have been properly prepared in accordance with UK adopted international accounting standards, as interpreted, and adapted by the 2021/22 Code; and
• have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, The Local Authority Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2014, and the Local Government in Scotland Act 2003.

Basis for opinion

I conducted my audit in accordance with applicable law and International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)), as required by the Code of Audit Practice approved by the Accounts Commission for Scotland. My responsibilities under those standards are further described in the auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of my report. I was appointed by the Accounts Commission on 10 April 2017. The period of total uninterrupted appointment is six years. I am independent of the fund in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to my audit of the financial statements in the UK including the Financial Reporting Council’s Ethical Standard, and I have fulfilled my other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. Non-audit services prohibited by the Ethical Standard were not provided to the council. I believe that the audit evidence I have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for my opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern basis of accounting

I have concluded that the use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

Based on the work I have performed, I have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the fund’s ability to continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

These conclusions are not intended to, nor do they, provide assurance on the fund’s current or future financial sustainability. However, I report on the fund’s arrangements for financial sustainability in a separate Annual Audit Report available from the Audit Scotland website.

Risks of material misstatement

I report in my Annual Audit Report the most significant assessed risks of material misstatement that I identified and my judgements thereon.

Responsibilities of the Corporate Director of Enterprise and Sustainable Regeneration and Orkney Islands Council Pension Fund Sub Committee for the financial statements

As explained more fully in the Statement of Responsibilities, the Corporate Director of Enterprise and Sustainable Regeneration is responsible for the preparation of financial statements that give a true and fair view in accordance with the financial reporting framework, and for such internal control as the Corporate Director of Enterprise and Sustainable Regeneration determines is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, the Corporate Director of Enterprise and Sustainable Regeneration is responsible for assessing the fund ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless there is an intention to discontinue the fund’s operations.

The Orkney Islands Council Pension Fund Sub Committee is responsible for overseeing the financial reporting process.

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

My objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes my opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. I design procedures in line with my responsibilities outlined above to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud.

Procedures include:

• obtaining an understanding of the applicable legal and regulatory framework and how the fund is complying with that framework;
• identifying which laws and regulations are significant in the context of the fund;
• assessing the susceptibility of the financial statements to material misstatement, including how fraud might occur; and
• considering whether the audit team collectively has the appropriate competence and capabilities to identify or recognise non-compliance with laws and regulations.

The extent to which my procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is affected by the inherent difficulty in detecting irregularities, the effectiveness of the fund’s controls, and the nature, timing and extent of the audit procedures performed.

Irregularities that result from fraud are inherently more difficult to detect than irregularities that result from error as fraud may involve collusion, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control. The capability of the audit to detect fraud and other irregularities depends on factors such as the skilfulness of the perpetrator, the frequency and extent of manipulation, the degree of collusion involved, the relative size of individual amounts manipulated, and the seniority of those individuals involved.

A further description of the auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council's website www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of my auditor’s report.

Reporting on other requirements

Other information

The Corporate Director of Enterprise and Sustainable Regeneration is responsible for other information in the annual report. The other information comprises the Management Commentary, Statement of Responsibilities for the Annual Accounts, Remuneration Report Annual Governance Statement, Governance Compliance Statement and other reports included in the annual report other than the financial statements and my auditor’s report thereon.

My responsibility is to read all the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements, or my knowledge obtained in the course of the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If I identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, I am required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work I have performed, I conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, I am required to report that fact. I have nothing to report in this regard.

My opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and I do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon except on the Management Commentary, Annual Governance Statement and Governance Compliance Statement to the extent explicitly stated in the following opinions prescribed by the Accounts Commission.

Opinions prescribed by the Accounts Commission on the Management Commentary, Annual Governance Statement and Governance Compliance Statement

In my opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:

• the information given in the Management Commentary for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements and that report has been prepared in accordance with statutory guidance issued under the Local Government in Scotland Act 2003;
• the information given in the Annual Governance Statement for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements and that report has been prepared in accordance with the Delivering Good Governance in Local Government: Framework (2016): and
• the information given in the Governance Compliance Statement for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements and that report has been prepared in accordance with The Local Government Pension Scheme (Scotland) Regulations 2018.

Matters on which I am required to report by exception

I am required by the Accounts Commission to report to you if, in my opinion:

• adequate accounting records have not been kept; or
• the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records; or
• I have not received all the information and explanations I require for my audit.

I have nothing to report in respect of these matters.

Conclusions on wider scope responsibilities

In addition to my responsibilities for the annual accounts, my conclusions on the wider scope responsibilities specified in the Code of Audit Practice, including those in respect of Best Value, are set out in my Annual Audit Report.

Use of my report

This report is made solely to the parties to whom it is addressed in accordance with Part VII of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 and for no other purpose. In accordance with paragraph 120 of the Code of Audit Practice, I do not undertake to have responsibilities to members or officers, in their individual capacities, or to third parties.

Gillian Woolman MA FCA CPFA
Audit Director
Audit Scotland
4th Floor
102 West Port
Edinburgh
EH3 9DN

17 November 2022

Annex 1 – Scheduled and Admitted Bodies

Orkney Islands Council Pension Fund

Scheduled Bodies

• Orkney Islands Council

Admitted Bodies – Active

• Orkney Ferries Limited
• Orkney Enterprise
• Pickaquoy Centre Trust
• Orkney Islands Property Development Limited

Annex 2 – Actuarial Statement for 2021–2022

Orkney Islands Council Pension Fund (the Fund)

This statement has been prepared in accordance with Regulation 55(1)(d) of the Local Government Pension Scheme (Scotland) Regulations 2018. It has been prepared at the request of the Administering Authority of the Fund for the purpose of complying with the aforementioned regulation.

Description of Funding Policy

The funding policy is set out in the Administering Authority’s Funding Strategy Statement (FSS), dated March 2021. In summary, the key funding principles are as follows:

• To ensure the long-term solvency of the Fund, using a prudent long-term view. This will ensure that sufficient funds are available to meet all members’/ dependants’ benefits as they fall due for payment.
• To ensure that employer contribution rates are reasonably stable where appropriate.
• To minimise the long-term cash contributions which employers need to pay to the Fund, by recognising the link between assets and liabilities and adopting an investment strategy which balances risk and return (NB this will also minimise the costs to be borne by Council Taxpayers).
• To reflect the different characteristics of different employers in determining contribution rates. This involves the Fund having a clear and transparent funding strategy to demonstrate how each employer can best meet its own liabilities over future years.
• To use reasonable measures to reduce the risk to other employers and ultimately to the Council Taxpayer from an employer defaulting on its pension obligations.

The FSS sets out how the Administering Authority seeks to balance the conflicting aims of securing the solvency of the Fund and keeping employer contributions stable. For employers whose covenant was considered by the Administering Authority to be sufficiently strong, contributions have been stabilised to have a sufficiently high likelihood of achieving the funding target over 20 years.

Asset-liability modelling has been carried out which demonstrate that if these contribution rates are paid and future contribution changes are constrained as set out in the FSS, there is at least a 70% chance that the Fund will return to full funding over 20 years.

Funding Position as at the last formal funding valuation

The most recent actuarial valuation carried out under Regulation 60 of the Local Government Pension Scheme (Scotland) Regulations 2018 was as at 31 March 2020. This valuation revealed that the Fund’s assets, which at 31 March 2020 were valued at £377 million, were sufficient to meet 118% of the liabilities (i.e., the present value of promised retirement benefits) accrued up to that date. The resulting surplus at the 2020 valuation was £58 million.

Each employer had contribution requirements set at the valuation, with the aim of achieving full funding within a time horizon and probability measure as per the FSS. Individual employers’ contributions for the period 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2024 were set in accordance with the Fund’s funding policy as set out in its FSS.

Principal Actuarial Assumptions and Method used to value the liabilities

Full details of the methods and assumptions used are described in the 2020 valuation report.

Method

The liabilities were assessed using an accrued benefits method which takes into account pensionable membership up to the valuation date and makes an allowance for expected future salary growth and inflation to retirement or expected earlier date of leaving pensionable membership.

Assumptions

A market-related approach was taken to valuing the liabilities, for consistency with the valuation of the Fund assets at their market value.

The key financial assumptions adopted for the 2020 valuation were as follows:

The key demographic assumption was the allowance made for longevity. The life expectancy assumption was based on the Fund's Vita Curves alongside future improvements based on the CMI 2019 model with an allowance for smoothing of recent mortality experience and a long-term rate of improvement of 1.5% p.a. Based on these assumptions, the average future life expectancies at age 65 are as follows:

*Currently aged 45.

Copies of the 2020 valuation report and Funding Strategy Statement are available on request from Orkney Islands Council, Administering Authority to the Fund.

Experience over the period since 31 March 2020

Markets were severely disrupted by COVID-19 at the 31 March funding valuation date resulting in depressed asset values but recovered very strongly in 2020 and 2021. Due to the war in Ukraine, early 2022 resulted in volatile markets, which affects values at the accounting date. All other things being equal, the funding level of the Fund as at 31 March 2022 is likely to be significantly better than that reported at the previous formal valuation as at 31 March 2020.

The next actuarial valuation will be carried out as at 31 March 2023. The Funding Strategy Statement will also be reviewed at that time.

Tom Hoare FFA
For and on behalf of Hymans Robertson LLP
30 May 2022

Hymans Robertson LLP
20 Waterloo Street, Glasgow G2 6DB

Annex 3 – Glossary of Terms

Active Management

An investment management style that seeks to outperform by way of self-selected decisions on stock choice, timing of market incursions, or asset allocation. Compare this with Passive Management.

Asset Allocation

The division of the Fund’s assets between different classes of assets, for example, UK Equities, Japanese Equities, UK Bonds. In the long run, the asset allocation choices should support the Fund’s strategic financial objectives. In the short-term tactical changes might be made to achieve short-term advantage.

Balanced Management

An arrangement under which investments are spread over a range of asset classes at the manager’s discretion. The manager controls investments over as many classes as are available under the Fund’s overall strategy. Compare this with specialist management.

Growth Manager

An investment manager who fundamentally believes in picking stocks that he believes will achieve an above-average growth in profits. This is sometimes caricatured as buying stock irrespective of price because the price will rise. Compare this with value manager.

Mandate

An agreement between an investment manager and his client as to how investments are to be managed, specifying whatever targets and investment limitations are to apply.

Passive Management

A style of investment management that seeks performance equal to market returns or to some appropriate index. Such investment entails a more mechanical approach to asset allocation and stock selection because such decisions are largely dictated by general market shifts rather than individual manager discretion. Compare this with active management.

Pooled Fund

A fund in which a number of investors hold units rather than owning the underlying assets. This is a useful way for smaller funds to diversify investments without exposing them to undue risks. Unit Trusts are pooled funds as are Open-ended Investment Companies. Compare this with segregated fund.

Return

The value of capital enhancement and income received by a fund in a year, expressed as a percentage of the opening value of the fund. If values fall “Return” would be negative.

Risk

The danger or chance that returns will vary against benchmarks or targets. If risks are high the expected return should be higher still (the risk premium).

Segregated Fund

The management of a particular fund’s assets independently of those of other funds managed by the same investment house. Compare this with a pooled fund.

Specialist Management

The use of a number of managers, each specialising in a particular asset class. Such managers have no say in asset allocation, being only concerned with stock selection.

Value Manager

A manager who selects stocks that he believes to have potential that is not reflected in the price. This is sometimes caricatured as buying stock because it is cheap. Compare this with growth manager.

Vested/Non-Vested Obligations

Vested obligations refer to employee benefits that are not conditional on future employment. Non-vested obligations refer to employee benefits that are conditional on future employment.

Pension Fund Strain

The cost to employers of the early release of pension benefits.

Operating Surplus/Deficit

The surplus/deficit arising from dealing with members, employers and others directly involved in the scheme.

Additional Information

Key Documents Online

You can find further information on our website:

Pension Fund Annual Reports (orkney.gov.uk), Including the following documents:

• Annual Report and Accounts

Auditors: Audit Scotland

Fund Actuaries: Hymans Robertson

Bankers: Royal Bank of Scotland

Investment Advisors: Hymans Robertson

Investment Custodians: Bank of New York Mellon

Performance Measurement: Hymans Robertson

Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVC) Managers: Prudential

Investment Managers:

• Baillie Gifford & Co
• Barings
• LGIM
• IFM

Contact Details

For further information and advice on administration, benefits and scheme membership please contact:

Bryan Hay
Pensions Manager
Telephone: 01856 873535. Extension: 2108.
Email: bryan.hay@orkney.gov.uk

Scheme members should have a copy of the “Employees’ Guide to the Local Government Pension Scheme Administered by the Orkney Islands Council” and can obtain their own copy of an Annual Report on request or visit Orkney Islands Council Pension Fund website at:

https://www.orkney.gov.uk/

For further information on the Fund’s Investments, please contact:

Gareth Waterson
Corporate Director of Enterprise & Sustainable Regeneration
Telephone: 01856 873535. Extension: 2103.
Email: gareth.waterson@orkney.gov.uk

Erik Knight
Head of Finance
Telephone: 01856 873535. Extension: 2127.
Email: erik.knight@orkney.gov.uk