Wilson announces new appointments to Northern Ireland local government officers' superannuation committee
Friday, 3 July 2009In one of his final duties as Environment Minister, Sammy Wilson made appointments to the Northern Ireland Local Government Officers’ Superannuation Committee (NILGOSC).
NILGOSC is an Executive Non-Departmental Public Body, which manages the Local Government Pension Scheme for Northern Ireland.
Appointments are as follows:
Chairperson, Mr Trevor Salmon, OBE. Independent Members, Mrs Julie Erskine and Mr Colin O’Hare. Employer Organisation Member, Ms Celine McCartan. Employee Organisation Members, Mr Bumper Graham and Mr Joseph Donaghy.
The former Environment Minister acknowledged the commitment of the people serving on the Committee. Mr Wilson said: “NILGOSC continues to provide a vital service to local government and to the wider public sector. I would like to express my sincere thanks and appreciation to those outgoing Committee members for the huge contribution they have made. Their dedication and expertise has proven invaluable.
“I welcome the new members and am confident that the new Committee will maintain the same high standard of work during the next term.”
Appointments, which took effect from 1 July 2009, will be in place to 30 June 2013.
Notes to Editors:
Role of NILGOSC:
1. The Northern Ireland Local Government Officers’ Superannuation Committee was established on 1 April 1950 to administer the Northern Ireland Local Government Officers’ Superannuation Scheme and to manage its pension fund. Further information about NILGOSC can be found on their website.
2. Membership of NILGOSC 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', Lecturers' or Firefighters' schemes).
3. NILGOSC currently represents the interests of 204 employing authorities, with 43,280 members contributing to the Northern Ireland Local Government Officers’ Superannuation Scheme. Almost 23,500 pensioners are paid each month and approximately 16,000 deferred pensions are managed on behalf of those who have left employment but are not yet pensionable age.
Appointment Process:
4. Schedule 3 to the Local Government Pension Scheme (Administration) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 requires that the Committee appointed by the Minister shall consist of -
(a) a chairman;
(b) two members as appear to him to be appropriate;
(c) Five members appointed after consultation with such organisations as may be recognised by him as representative of employing authorities; and
(d) Five members appointed after consultation with such organisations as may be recognised by him as representative of employees affected by the Scheme.
5. The appointments are effective from 1 July 2009 to 30 June 2013. The Chairperson’s post attracts a salary of approximately £12,000, which is reviewed annually. Members do not receive a salary but are paid expenses in respect of attendance on Committee business.
6. The selection process for the appointment of the new Chairperson and members followed the Code of Practice of the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland.
7. All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for the political activity of appointees (if any declared) to be published.
. None of the appointees have undertaken any political activity in the last five years.
Pen Pictures:
Mr Trevor Salmon, OBE, from Bangor has been appointed as chairperson of the Committee. Mr Salmon is due to retire soon from his position as Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Corporate Services in Belfast City Council. He is a Lay Member of the Solicitors’ Disciplinary Tribunal for which he is remunerated on a session basis. He replaces Mr. John Galbraith, who retired as Chairperson after completing two terms in the post. Mr Bumper Graham lives in Lisburn. He is Assistant General Secretary of the Northern Ireland Public Service Alliance. He is a member of the Education & Library Boards’ Staff Commission for which he receives no remuneration. Mr Joseph Donaghy lives in Ballymoney. He is the former Northern Ireland UNISON Regional Head of health, local government and education. He is an Independent Member of the District Policing Partnership for which he receives £2,500 per year. Ms Celine McCartan lives in Killyclogher, Omagh. She is Head of Corporate Services at South West/Omagh College. She does not hold any other public appointments. Mr Colin O’Hare lives in Crossgar, Downpatrick. He is Actuarial Studies Program Director at Queen’s University Belfast. He does not hold any other public appointments. Mrs Julie Erskine lives in Carrickfergus. She is Operations Director for Bettercare Limited, a child care provider. She is a Lay Member of the Northern Ireland Social Care Council for which she receives £6,000 per year. She is also a Member of the Public Health Agency for which she receives £8,827 per annum.
9. For media enquiries please contact the DOE Press Office on 028 9054 0003 or out of office hours call the EIS Duty Press Officer on pager 07699715440 and your call will be returned.
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