Agenda and minutes

Venue: https://youtu.be/6B9HnhxUjAc

Contact: Joseph Anstee
tel. no.: 020 7332 1480  Email: joseph.anstee@cityoflondon.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from James de Sausmarez.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 1.

2.

Members' Declarations under the Code of Conduct in respect of items on the agenda

Minutes:

There were no declarations.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.

3.

Resolution of the Investment Committee pdf icon PDF 137 KB

To receive the resolution of Investment Committee on 21 July 2020 appointing the Board and approving its terms of reference.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 3.

Minutes:

The Board received the resolution of the Investment Committee on 21 July 2020 appointing the Board and approving its terms of reference.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

4.

Minutes of the previous meeting pdf icon PDF 155 KB

To agree the public minutes and non-public summary of the meeting held on 13 July 2020.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 4.

Minutes:

RESOLVED - That the public minutes and non-public summary of the meeting held on 13 July 2020 be agreed as a correct record.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

5.

Outstanding Actions pdf icon PDF 86 KB

Report of the Town Clerk

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Minutes:

The Board received a list of outstanding actions. The Chamberlain advised that a section on Treasury Management for the Pension Fund had been incorporated into the Pension Fund’s Investment Strategy Statement, which was on the agenda for the Board’s consideration.

 

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

6.

Monthly Investment Analysis Review pdf icon PDF 372 KB

Report of the Chamberlain

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Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Board received a report of the Chamberlain concerning the monthly investment analysis review for July 2020. The Board noted the current investment list, total investment values and average rate of return set out in the report. In response to a request by the Chairman, the Chamberlain clarified the reporting of the rate of return in respect of the Board’s investments in Short Dated Bond Funds, which included both income and capital gains.

 

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

7.

End of Year Treasury Management Review 2019/20 pdf icon PDF 218 KB

Report of the Chamberlain

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 7.

Minutes:

The Board received a report of the Chamberlain, providing an end of year report reviewing Treasury Management in 2019/20. The Chamberlain introduced the report and drew Members’ attention to key points including cash balances and the impact of Covid-19 on monetary policy.

 

In response to a question from a Member on the increased cash balances, the Chamberlain advised that in addition to the receipt of borrowing proceeds from City’s Cash, the receipt of the April Business Rates Levy had taken place one day earlier than usual, causing a further temporary increase as at 31 March 2020. However, this was an operational matter and not considered to be a cause for concern.

 

A Member queried whether the prospect of negative interest rates being introduced in the near future was a cause for concern or would necessitate any changes. The Chamberlain responded that due to significant decreases the Board was already operating in a very low interest rate environment, but in the event of further decreases to zero or negative interest rates, there could be increased pressure on the revenue budget for the Funds going forward. Members suggested that this be revisited as the Board may need to develop a strategy to manage any further developments. The Chairman asked that this be added as an outstanding action with an update to be brought to the next meeting on the Board, adding that swifter action may be required if circumstances were to change earlier than expected.

 

A Member suggested that the Board maintain a number of bench managers for near-cash or short-date options to balance out any changes to the portfolio, and suggested that consideration of a longlist be undertaken for this purpose.

 

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

8.

Climate Action Strategy pdf icon PDF 183 KB

Report of the Town Clerk & Chief Executive

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 8.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Board received a report of the Town Clerk and Chief Executive containing a scoped and costed Climate Action Strategy for the City of London Corporation, to be considered by the Policy & Resources Committee in September and the Court of Common Council in October 2020. The Chairman introduced the item and reminded Members of the wider context surrounding the report before handing over to the Director of Innovation and Growth to introduce the report.

 

The Director of Innovation and Growth then introduced the report and gave the Board an introduction to the Climate Action Strategy (the Strategy), before outlining the headline figures, and key points of the strategy, principally that the City of London Corporation will work towards 2027 as a date for net zero in its own operations or what is referred to as Scope 1 and 2, and to a net zero date of 2040 for our full value chain, or Scope 3 emissions. The City of London Corporation would also support net zero by 2040 in the Square Mile and build resilience to extreme weather in our infrastructure buildings and public realm.

 

The Board was then advised of the action points for the Financial Investment Board to undertake as part of implementing the strategy. This consisted of four high-level actions:

 

1.    Embed ESG Integration and Climate Related Financial Risk in Investment Mandates;

2.    Ensure climate criteria are embedded in Fund Manager selection criteria;

3.    Commit to having at least 60% of our portfolio Paris-aligned by 2040; and

4.    Join others in signalling ambition for 100% portfolio aligned by 2030 and become signatory to Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures

 

The Chairman then advised that Mercer had been consulted on the Strategy’s proposals and invited Mercer’s comments on the report. Mercer advised that it was felt the net-zero

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

9.

City of London Pension Fund - Investment Strategy Statement pdf icon PDF 88 KB

Report of the Chamberlain

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 9.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Board considered a report of the Chamberlain presenting a revised Investment Strategy Statement for the Pension Fund for approval. The Chamberlain introduced the report and confirmed the Statement was a public document and subject to periodic review at least every three years. The Chamberlain drew Members’ attention to amendments made following review of the Statement by the Board, including a section on Treasury Management and added control ranges for each asset class within the strategic asset allocation.

 

RESOLVED – That the Financial Investment Board agree the revised Investment Strategy Statement as presented.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

10.

Local Government Pensions Board - Pension Fund Investment Activities 1 April 2019 to 31 March 2020 pdf icon PDF 106 KB

Report of the Chamberlain

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 10.

Minutes:

The Board considered a report of the Chamberlain providing an annual summary of investment activity in relation to the Pension Fund for onward referral to the Local Government Pensions Board. The Chamberlain introduced the report and invited any additional comments from Members to be incorporated before the report was submitted to the Local Government Pensions Board. The Board then approved the report for onward referral to the Local Government Pensions Board.

 

RESOLVED – That the Financial Investment Board:

 

a)    Note the report; and

 

b)    Agree that the report be referred to the Local Government Pensions Board.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

11.

Questions on matters relating to the work of the Committee

Minutes:

There were no questions.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

12.

Any Other Business that the Chairman considers urgent

Minutes:

There was no other business.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

13.

Exclusion of the Public

MOTION - That under Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of the Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 13.

Minutes:

RESOLVED - That under Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of the Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

 

Item No.                                                          Paragraph(s) in Schedule 12A

14-19                                                                                       3

20-21                                                                                       -

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

14.

Non-public minutes of the previous meeting

To agree the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 13 July 2020.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 14.

Minutes:

RESOLVED - That the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 13 July 2020 be agreed as a correct record.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.

15.

Non-Public Outstanding Actions

Report of the Town Clerk

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 15.

Minutes:

The Board received a list of non-public outstanding actions.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.

16.

Investment Performance Monitoring Reports

Minutes:

16a

Performance Monitoring to 31 July 2020: Pension Fund

Report of the Chamberlain

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 16a

Minutes:

The Board received a report of the Chamberlain.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 16a

16b

Performance Monitoring to 31 July 2020: City's Cash and Bridge House Estates

Report of the Chamberlain

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 16b

Minutes:

The Board received a report of the Chamberlain.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 16b

16c

Quarterly Monitoring Report to 30 June 2020

Report of Mercer

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 16c

Minutes:

The Board received a report of Mercer.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 16c

17.

PRI - Assessment Update

Report of the Chamberlain

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 17.

Minutes:

The Board received a report of the Chamberlain.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.

18.

Methodology for Carbon Footprinting Investments

Report of the Chamberlain

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 18.

Minutes:

The Board received a report of the Chamberlain.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.

19.

Stewardship Plan

Report of the Chamberlain

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 19.

Minutes:

The Board considered a report of the Chamberlain.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 19.

20.

Non-public questions on matters relating to the work of the Committee

Minutes:

There were no non-public questions.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 20.

21.

Any Other Business that the Chairman considers urgent and which the Committee agree should be considered whilst the public are excluded

Minutes:

There was other business.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 21.