Extension of Appointments to the Northern Ireland Local Government Officers Superannuation Committee (NILGOSC)

1. NILGOSC is a Non-Departmental Public Body, established under the Local Government (Superannuation) Act 1950.  In addition, and in accordance with the designation made by the Department under the Local Government Pension Scheme (Governance) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015, NILGOSC is the Pension Board of the Local Government Pension Scheme for Northern Ireland (LGPS(NI)).

2. NILGOSC is sponsored by the Department for Communities and plays an important role in the effective administration and management of the pension scheme for district councils and other admitted bodies in Northern Ireland. In addition the Committee is the Pension Board of the Local Government Pension Scheme for Northern Ireland (LGPS (NI)). Further information about NILGOSC can be found at www.nilgosc.org.uk 

3. Membership of the LGPS (NI)  is open to employees working in local government and to employees in the public sector who are not eligible to join another scheme (such as the Teachers', Civil Servants’  or Firefighters' schemes).

4. At 31 March 2015, the LGPS (NI)  represented the interests of 179 employing authorities, with some 52,800 members contributing to the scheme; over 30,000 pensioners paid every month; and had approximately 26,400 deferred pensioners (relating to those who have left employment but are not yet pensionable age). The fund had assets and investments worth over £5.85 billion.

5. NILGOSC consists of a chair and twelve other members.

6. The Chairman’s post attracts a salary of approximately £13,052 per annum.   Members do not receive a salary but are eligible for a daily allowance not exceeding £117 plus reasonable travel expenses payable in line with current Local Government rates.

7. The extensions to the terms of appointment have been made in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland’s (CPA NI) Code of Practice. 

8. All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland requires political activity of appointees to be published.

9. Biographical details:

Mr Trevor Salmon OBE

Trevor Salmon is currently the Chairperson of NILGOSC. He was previously the Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Corporate Services for Belfast City Council. He has considerable experience of the Local Government Pension Scheme both as an Employer and as a Board member, having previously served two terms as a committee member of NILGOSC.

Trevor also chairs the Pension Trustees for the Association of Accounting Technicians and is a member of CIPFA’s Pension Panel which informs Government on pension matters and advises Local Authorities across the UK on technical issues in relation to pensions. He is also a Lay Member of the Solicitor’s Disciplinary Tribunal. He has not declared any political activity in the last five years and holds no other public appointments.

Mr Joseph Donaghy MBE

Joseph Donaghy lives in Ballymoney. He is the former Northern Ireland UNISON Regional Head of Health, Government and Education. He is a former independent member of Ballymoney Policing and Community Safety Partnership. He is also a former member of The North Eastern Education & Library Board and Chairman of it’s Finance and General Purposes Committee. He has not declared any political activity in the last five years and holds no other public appointments.

Mrs Julie Erskine

Julie Erskine worked in the healthcare service industry for over 25 years before retiring as Operations Director in 2007. She brings to the role a wealth of experience across the public, private and voluntary sectors and has extensive experience in chairing audit and risk committees. She is a member of the Northern Ireland Social Care Council for which she receives £6,367 per annum, the Probation Board of Northern Ireland which has a remuneration of £5,050 per annum and has been Chair of the Business Service Organisation from December 2016, for which she receives £22,442 per annum.  She has not declared any political activity in the last five years and holds no other public appointments.

Mr Bumper Graham

Mr Graham is the Deputy General Secretary of NIPSA and has been a full-time NIPSA Official for 35 years.  He is a current member of the Local Government Staff Commission for which he receives a daily allowance of £117 plus expenses, Vice Chair of NILGOSC, Chairperson NIC-ICTU Public Service Pensions Group and Joint Chairperson of the Department of Finance and Personnel Public Service Pensions Central Consultative Group.  He is a member of the NICS Pensions Board and a member of the NICS Pension Scheme Advisory Board, likewise he is a member of the LGPS (NI) Pension Scheme Advisory Board.  He has previously been a member of the Education Library Boards Staff Commission, Northern Ireland Partnership Board, Belfast Harbour Commission, COMET and Lisburn Peace and Reconciliation Partnership.  He was also a member of the Manpower Council YTP Committee and Chairperson of the South and East Belfast YTP Committee.  He has not declared any political activity in the last five years and holds no other public appointments.

Ms Celine McCartan MBE

Celine McCartan is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland and a Chartered Member of the Institute of Personnel development. She works in local government as Director of Corporate Services and Governance at Fermanagh & Omagh District Council. Celine was first appointed to the NILGOSC Management Committee in 2009 and has contributed to the organisation in different roles connected to this appointment.

She is a member of the Governing Body of Loreto Grammar School, Omagh and Omagh North Nursery School.  In addition, she undertakes a number of voluntary roles in relation to children’s and carers support, disability organisations and charities. She has not declared any political activity in the last five years and holds no other public appointments.

Mr Lindsay Todd

Mr Lindsay Todd has lengthy experience in the pension fund industry and was, until his retirement, a partner in a leading international professional services firm. He currently serves on the NI Judicial Appointments Commission for which he receives £294 per day, the advisory committee to the NI Central Investment Fund for Charities, is a trustee of a leading charity and is also a school governor. He is also a member of the Investment Committee at Queen’s University Belfast together with the Disciplinary Panel of the Chartered Accountants Regulatory Board in Ireland. He has not declared any political activity in the last five years and holds no other public appointments.

10.   Media enquiries to DfC Press Office on 028 9082 3509 or email: press.office@communities-ni.gov.uk.  Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07623 974383.

11. Follow us on Twitter - @CommunitiesNI