Scottish Parliamentary Contributory Pension Fund

This is a straightforward procedural motion concerning the Scottish parliamentary contributory pension fund. The Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body considered the composition of the fund’s trustee board at its meeting on 24 September, following Gordon MacDonald’s change of status from a participating member of the scheme to a scheme pensioner. Under the Scottish Parliamentary Pensions Act 2009, that change of status means that the Parliament must formally resolve whether he should continue in office as a fund trustee. The Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body considered the position, noted that the trustee board remains properly constituted, and agreed that the necessary resolution should be brought before Parliament.

I want to place on record the corporate body’s thanks to Gordon MacDonald for his service as a trustee and for his willingness to continue in that role. [Applause.] I am sure that that applause was for Gordon MacDonald, not me. Judging by its source on the Scottish National Party benches, I doubt that it was for anything that I have said, although there is a first time for everything.

In all genuineness, we thank Gordon MacDonald for his willingness to continue in the role of a trustee.

I move,

That the Parliament notes that Gordon MacDonald, a Fund Trustee of the Scottish Parliamentary Contributory Pension Fund appointed as a participating member, has ceased to be a participating member and has become a scheme pensioner within the meaning of Rule 12(1)(a) of Schedule 1 to the Scottish Parliamentary Pensions Act 2009; further notes that notification of this change of circumstances has been provided in accordance with Rule 12(2)(a), and, in accordance with Rule 12(2)(b), resolves that Gordon MacDonald shall continue to hold office as a Fund Trustee notwithstanding the change of status from participating member to scheme pensioner.