Local Pension Board
Terms of reference
Local Pension Board Terms of Reference
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Local Pension Board Membership
Amanda Stott (Chairman)
Appointed 26/09/24
3 year term
Independent
(non-voting)
Cllr Robert Bisset
(Employer)
Appointed 26/06/24
3 year term
Cheshire West and Chester Council
Geoff Wright
(Member)
Appointed 26/06/24
3 year term
UNISON
Jason Lambert
(Member)
Appointed 26/06/26
3 year term
Cheshire West and Chester Council
Carmine Rabhani
(Employer)
Appointed 26/06/26
3 year term
Cheshire Fire and Rescue
Catrin Evans
(Employer)
Appointed 26/06/26
3 year term
Cheshire West and Chester Council
Kelly Kelsall
(Member)
Appointed 26/06/26
3 year term
Vivo Care Choices
Amanda Stott
Amanda was appointed Chair of the Local Pension Board in September 2024.
Amanda was elected to Cheshire East Council in 2015 as an Independent councillor for Bollington Ward, and following re-election in 2019 held the portfolio for Finance and Communications, until the council adopted the Committee system style of governance at which point Amanda became the vice chair of the Corporate Committee and chair of the Finance Sub-committee. Amanda held these posts for a term of four years.
In 2019 Amanda was appointed to the Cheshire Pension Fund Committee as a Cheshire East representative and also sat on the Investment committee.
Prior to retiring in 2008 Amanda was the Finance Director and shareholder of, a successful advertising agency based in Manchester.
Amanda’s leisure time is spent with her partner, James and their two black Labradors. Hobby time is spent building Lego models and baking!
Councillor Bissett
Councillor Robert Bissett was re-appointed as an Employer Representative to the Local Pension Board in May 2018.
Robert is a CEO of a homeless charity and has held senior roles in the third sector for more than two decades.
In the 1990’s he served one term as an elected member of Ellesmere Port Borough Council. Robert is in his first term as a Cheshire West and Chester elected member and currently serves as Chief Whip.
Robert’s outside interests include economic history, horses and running.
Geoff Wright
Geoff was re-appointed as an Employee Representative to the Local Pension Board in May 2021.
Geoff’s background has involved working with Children and Adults both in Cheshire and in the United States. His Current Role is that of Assistant Branch Secretary for Unison which he has been enjoying since 2011. Geoff’s Substantive role is that of a support worker supporting adults with learning difficulties.
Geoff enjoys the challenge of being on the Pensions board and continually developing his knowledge.
Outside of work Geoff enjoys spending time with family, and road trips.
Jason Lambert
Jason was appointed as an Employee Representative to the Local Pension Board in June 2023.
Jason background has involved working in Environmental Service and Streetcare. His Current Role is that of Cleaner Greener Streets Officer for Environmental Commissioning which has been enjoying since 2020. Jason has spent 35 years working in Local Government and is an active member of the Cheshire Pension Fund.
Jason is looking forward to the challenge of being on the Pensions board and developing his knowledge.
Outside of work Jason enjoys spending time with family, Caravanning Trips around the UK and he also enjoys his Vintage Tractor Rally’s which he is involved in this raises hundreds of pounds each year for local charities.Carmine Rabhani
Carm has worked in a number of local government organisations since 2004, and worked for Cheshire Fire & Rescue Service since 2011. Carm holds the position of Head of People & Organisational Development, which includes managing the Payroll and Pensions team. He is also the Scheme Manager for the Firefighter’s Pension Scheme, and sits on the Firefighter Pension Scheme Local Pension Board.
Carm is originally from London but has lived in the Cheshire for over 20 years. He is married with two children and enjoys running, watching football, exploring the countryside and spending time with family and friends.
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Catrin Evans
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Catrin is the Finance Manager for the Technical Accounting and VAT Team at Cheshire West and Chester Council. A qualified CIPFA accountant since 2022, she has developed strong experience in local government finance.
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Catrin is looking forward to broadening her knowledge of the pension board and bringing a finance professional's perspective to the board's work.
Outside of work, Catrin enjoys spending time with family and friends and is a keen strength trainer, regularly attending the gym.
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Kelly Kelsall
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Kelly began her career with Vivo Care Choices in January 2018 as a Service Coordinator, leading and supporting a staff team in Ellesmere Port. She subsequently progressed to managing Vivo’s Respite Service before being promoted to Deputy Manager of the Coronation Centre Day Service in 2019.
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Since then, Kelly has worked across a number of day service provisions, gaining extensive experience in service delivery, operational management, and person-centred support. In recognition of her leadership and commitment to high-quality care, Kelly was promoted to Service Manager and successfully achieved the CQC Registered Manager qualification in 2023.
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Throughout her career, Kelly has remained dedicated to delivering high-quality services, supporting teams to achieve positive outcomes, and ensuring the best possible experiences for the people Vivo support.
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Local Pension Board Roles
Who can sit on the Board?
Under the LGPS regulations, the Board must comprise equal numbers of scheme member and scheme employer representatives. Cheshire has three scheme member (One nomination being a trade union representative) and three employer representatives (One nomination being made by Cheshire West and Chester Council). The Board also has an Independent Chair (who does not have any voting rights).
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The key requirements of prospective Board Members is having knowledge and understanding, capacity to develop and maintain it, keeping it up to date, and that induction training will be provided.
How much time and effort is involved?
The Board meets a minimum of 5 times a year. Board Members will also be expected to undertake the necessary training to undertake the role. This involves a minimum of three training sessions (potentially more initially), online learning and attendance at conferences and seminars throughout.
Board Members will also be entitled to attend meetings of the Pension Fund Committee as Observers.
Appointments are made for a 3 year period.
Due to the requirements for Board Members to have/develop the necessary knowledge and understanding, it has been determined that substitutes will not be allowed.
The role requires a person who can demonstrate the required criteria, characteristics and skills, which include:
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Capacity to attend at least four Local Pension Board meetings per year, along with a minimum of three training sessions, completion of online learning and attendance at conferences and seminars throughout each year
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A good understanding of pension fund management, LGPS knowledge and an understanding of the issues facing the LGPS
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Financial and Investment awareness
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Act impartially in the interests of both employers and members
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Confidence to challenge, influence, and engage
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Act prudently, honestly and in line with accepted principles of public life
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An effective communicator and team player and promote excellent working relationships within the Local Pension Board and gain the confidence of external stakeholders
Will I be paid to sit on the Board?
No – although you will be entitled to reclaim any reasonable travel or subsistence costs incurred as a result of attending Board Meetings, or approved training.
Overview of Roles
Further information on the roles of Board members can be viewed on the links below.
Who can be the Independent Chair?
The role of independent chair is someone who can demonstrate the following criteria, characteristics and skills. The role involves reviewing the financial aspects of pension fund management and requires a person who brings an appropriate level of knowledge with them.
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Qualities expected of the Chair
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proven leadership skills with the ability to chair meetings
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articulate in writing and speech, including preparing formal papers
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excellent communication skills
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tact and diplomacy
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willingness to speak one’s mind and listen to the views of others.
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Experience and knowledge
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knowledge and experience of governance or management of work-based Local Government Pension Scheme and the regulatory bodies involved
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a working knowledge of the Local Government Pension Scheme
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prior experience of committee/trustee work
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the law relating to pensions
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any matters which are prescribed in regulations
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an awareness of the practices and policies about the administration of the LGPS including –
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Pension Fund administration and governance
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Pension Fund investment management
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Pension Fund liability management
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Remuneration, expenses and allowances
The role is not be remunerated. All Pension Board members will be entitled to claim reasonable travel and subsistence allowances for attending meetings relating to Pension Board business (including attending training) at rates contained in the Members’ Allowances Scheme.
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Who can be an employee Representative?
An employee representative can:-
be a member of the scheme
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be an employee
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be a deferred or retired member
For the roles of member representatives we look for people who can demonstrate the following criteria, characteristics and skills. The role involves reviewing the financial aspects of pension fund management and requires people who bring an appropriate level of knowledge with them.
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You must be a member or an employer member of the Cheshire Pension Fund and be able to commit to a membership period of 3 years
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Capacity to attend at least four Local Pension Board meetings per year, along with training as required
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A good understanding of pension fund management, LGPS knowledge and an understanding of the issues facing the LGPS
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Financial and Investment awareness
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Trustee, governance or representative board experience
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Act impartially in the interests of both employers and members
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Confidence to challenge, influence, and engage
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Act prudently, honestly and in line with accepted principles of public life
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An effective communicator and team player and promote excellent working relationships within the Local Pension Board and gain the confidence of external stakeholders
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Who can be a scheme employer representative?
An employer representative can:-
be an employee of an employer in the Cheshire Pension Fund
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also be a scheme member (e.g. if they are also an employee who has chosen to join the LGPS)
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be someone other than an employee e.g. in the case of an Academy school a Governor could be nominated as an employer representative
For the roles of employer representatives we look for people who can demonstrate the following criteria, characteristics and skills. The role involves reviewing the financial aspects of pension fund management and requires people who bring an appropriate level of knowledge with them.
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You must be a member or an employer member of the Cheshire Pension Fund and be able to commit to a membership period of 3 years
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Capacity to attend at least four Local Pension Board meetings per year, along with training as required
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A good understanding of pension fund management, LGPS knowledge and an understanding of the issues facing the LGPS
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Financial and Investment awareness
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Trustee, governance or representative board experience
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Act impartially in the interests of both employers and members
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Confidence to challenge, influence, and engage
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Act prudently, honestly and in line with Nolan’s seven principles of public life
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An effective communicator and team player and promote excellent working relationships within the Local Pension Board and gain the confidence of external stakeholders
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Local Pension Board Register of Interests
The register of interests for members of the Local Pension Board can be found below:
If you have a query for the Pension Board you can contact them by completing the following form
Please only use this form if you need to get in touch with the Local Pension Board specifically.
