Long-standing UNISON member Tim Stretton was appointed to the West Sussex pensions advisory board (PAB) in November.
Tim Stretton
The PAB is an important, statutory, regulatory function set up two years ago. It consists of an independent chair, two employer reps and two employee reps. It holds the pensions panel (PP) to account. The PP sets the direction for the West Sussex local government pension fund. The PAB checks this has been done appropriately, challenges decisions where necessary and reports any breaches to the Pensions Regulator.
Tim’s ‘day job’ is the strategic finance business partner supporting the EIE (economy, infrastructure and environment) directorate. He has a wealth of knowledge from previous WSCC finance positions he’s held to help him on the PAB.
“It was quite a competitive process for the role,” said Tim. “It’s great that both employee representatives on the PAB are both UNISON members (the other being Chris Scanes). I’m looking forward to completing the training programme required for the role.”
Branch retired member Judith Taylor is also the employee, retired and deferred member rep on the pensions panel, so UNISON is well represented on both the PAB and PP. This is really important because UNISON reps get support and training from the wider union and access to significant expertise and legal advice. PP reps who were not UNISON reps would not get this and would not do as good a job for LGPS members.
We wish Tim every success in this new role.