Investment Strategy Statement (ISS)
Councils are updating Investment Strategy Statements to meet new regulations, focusing on local investment and enhanced governance.
Havering Pension Fund is exploring investing up to 10% of its £1.18 billion assets in local opportunities, as discussed at a Pensions Committee meeting in September 2026. This is part of an updated Investment Strategy Statement (ISS) driven by the Pension Schemes Act 2026, which came into force in June 2026. Barnet Pension Fund also approved an updated strategy in September 2026, aiming for a 6.8% annual return, and decided in March 2026 to allocate up to 3% of its assets to local projects.
The Pension Schemes Act 2026 and associated regulations mandate enhanced governance and require Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) funds to revise and publish their ISS by September 2026. Harrow Pension Fund is set to revise its ISS by this deadline, outlining financial objectives and responsible investment. Barking and Dagenham Pension Fund completed transitioning all assets to the London CIV pool by March 2026, a requirement of the 'Fit for the Future' legislation.
An Investment Strategy Statement (ISS) is a document outlining a pension fund's approach to investment, including objectives, risk appetite, and asset allocation. Lewisham Pension Fund updated its strategy in March 2026, incorporating member feedback and revising its Responsible Investment Beliefs and Carbon Transition to Net Zero Policy. Kingston upon Thames Council Pension Board reviewed its ISS in December 2025 following a triennial valuation.
Key facts
- Havering Pension Fund is exploring investing up to 10% of its £1.18 billion assets in local opportunities. Source
- Barnet Pension Fund approved an updated investment strategy in September 2026, aiming for a 6.8% long-term annual return. Source
- The Pension Schemes Act 2026 came into force on June 30, 2026. Source 1 Source 2
- Harrow Pension Fund is set to revise its Investment Strategy Statement by September 30, 2026. Source
- Barnet Pension Fund approved investing up to 3% of its assets in local projects in March 2026. Source
About this summary
This summary was written automatically from our published stories and the council meeting records they draw on. It describes what councils have discussed and decided; it does not take a view on any decision. Each key fact links to the story it comes from. Updated 1 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.