A designating body is sometimes referred to as a resolution body. It is a type of scheduled body that can choose whether it offers LGPS membership to employees. The most common types of designating bodies are:
- precepting authorities such as town and parish councils
- levying bodies such as internal drainage boards or urban development corporations
- Local Authority Trading Companies (LATCo’s)
- other bodies listed in part 2 of schedule 2 of the The Local Government Pension Scheme Regulations 2013
Designating bodies have an automatic right to take part in the LGPS. However, they are not automatically entered into the scheme.
They can decide which employees, if any, are eligible for membership of the LGPS. They do this by passing a formal resolution to join the Fund. This is as long as the employees are not eligible for another public sector pension scheme in that employment.
There are some stages to becoming a designating employer in the Fund:
Fund actuary report
The Kent Pension Fund’s Actuary will produce a report. It confirms the employer contribution rate expressed as a percentage of pay.
Action to take
To request an actuary report, please complete a data capture for designating body employer spreadsheet (XLSX, 51.0 KB) You must complete the spreadsheet for the employees involved.
Save the completed spreadsheet to your device. Use the uploading documents to the Treasury and Investments team online form (opens in a new window) to send your completed data capture spreadsheet.
Full details about how to complete the data capture spreadsheet are within the drop down boxes on the spreadsheet.
Passing a resolution
You must pass a resolution which shows:
- who can join the Fund
- the date of joining
- agreement to pay the employer contribution rate certified by the Fund Actuary.
The resolution must be in a formal document. It can be included in minutes which are agreed and signed by an authorised signatory. For example, a councillor or chief finance officer.
Action to take
We have provided example resolution templates for you to use. Please select the appropriate resolution template:
- an example resolution for Town and Parish Councils template (DOCX, 32.1 KB), OR
- an example resolution for LATCos template (DOCX, 38.0 KB)
Once agreed and signed, please forward to the Fund. Use the uploading documents to the Treasury and Investments team online form (opens in a new window) to send your signed resolution.
Additional action for LATCos
In addition to passing a resolution, a LATCo must:
- complete a questionnaire to support a resolution of a LATCo (DOCX, 46.5 KB) for application of a LATCo, and
- provide a copy of the associated executed commercial contract.
To submit these documents, please use the uploading documents to the Treasury and Investments team online form (opens in a new window)
Financial responsibilities
When an employer joins the Fund, they accept ongoing financial liabilities. Find out about your financial responsibilities as an employer