Freedom of Information (FOI) and Environmental Information Regulations (EIR)

Since January 2005, the public has a general right of access to all types of recorded information held by public bodies, including local authorities. If you request a piece of information from us, we have a duty to disclose that information, providing we hold it and it is not subject to any legally defined exemptions.

Freedom of Information / Environmental Information Regulations
Freedom of Information Act 2000	Environmental Information Regulations Act 2004
Public authorities obliged to publish certain information; Public entitled to request information.	Public authorities must make environmental information available proactively; Public entitled to request environmental information.
Applies to recorded information; Does not give access to an individual's own personal data

To increase accessibility of information, the Fund have prepared a list of common Freedom of Information (FOI) request areas. Please see below a variety of published information in these areas.

Annual Report and Accounts

The Annual Report and Accounts is a detailed summary of the Fund's activities up to 31 March of the preceding financial year. The purpose of this report is to give stakeholders a variety of information relating to financial performance and Fund activities. The contents requirements of the annual report are set out in CIPFA LGPS Regulations. Our published annual reports can be found at https://www.wmpfonline.com/annualreports

Fund Investment Holdings

The Fund regularly discloses investment performance information through a managed publication scheme of Quarterly Investment Holdings. Information from quarter ending 31/12/2018 - present (in line with publication schedule) can be found at https://www.wmpfonline.com/QIH. Historical investment data can be found at https://www.wmpfonline.com/article/9784/Historical-Data

Further details in regard to Fund investments can be found in our quarterly investment reports presented to our Pensions Committee. Details on where to locate papers is below.

Responsible Investment

The Fund has a longstanding commitment to responsible investment (RI), and this is underpinned by our Responsible Investment Framework. Its purpose is to detail the approach the Fund aims to follow in integrating environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues in its investments. It is considered supplementary to the Fund's Statement of Investment Principles and thus in alignment with its fiduciary duty.

Responsible investment information can be found at https://www.wmpfonline.com/ri

Pensions Committee and Pensions Board

The Fund holds quarterly meetings with both our Pensions Committee and Local Pensions Board. Agendas, reports and minutes can be found on the City of Wolverhampton Council's website in their capacity as our administering authority.

Pensions Committee

Local Pensions Board

Other Fund Information

The Fund reviews a variety of documentation on an annual basis. Policies, strategies and other corporate information can be found at https://www.wmpfonline.com/corporateinfo

This includes but is not limited to Service Plan, Investment Strategy Statement (ISS), Funding Strategy Statement (FSS), Pension Administration Strategy (PAS), Governance Compliance Statement.

Regulatory Bodies & Partner Agencies

The Fund operates as part of the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS). The LGPS is established by statute and its purpose is to provide death and retirement benefits for all eligible employees. The scheme regulations were made under the Superannuation Act 1972 and in the future will be made under the Public Service Pension Schemes Act 2013.

See below a list of regulatory bodies and Fund partner agencies that may assist you in acquiring information.

· LGPS Member website https://lgpsmember.org/

· The Pensions Regulator (tPR) https://www.thepensionsregulator.gov.uk/en

· The Scheme Advisory Board (SAB) https://www.lgpsboard.org/

· The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) https://ico.org.uk/

· Prudential (Fund AVC provider) https://www.prudentialplc.com/

· LGPS Central Ltd https://www.lgpscentral.co.uk/

Get in Touch

If you are looking to contact the Fund in relation to your individual pension benefits please visit our 'Contact Us' page at https://www.wmpfonline.com/contactus

Alternatively, please see our dedicated member section of our website that may be able to answer your query https://www.wmpfonline.com/members

We advise that you review the information areas above before making an FOI request, as they may provide what you require.

If you do wish to make a formal FOI request, please contact WMPFFOI@wolverhampton.gov.uk or fill out the below form.

Alternatively, you can write to us at:

Governance & Compliance Team

West Midlands Pension Fund

PO Box 3948

Wolverhampton

WV1 1XP