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Durham County Council - Appointment of an Independent Person to the Pension Fund

Durham County Council

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

29 Oct 2026 at 15:30

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Durham County Council is seeking an independent person for the Durham County Council Pension Fund. This is a pension governance and scrutiny service, not a delegated decision-making role, and it does not transfer or change the Fund’s statutory responsibilities. The appointee will independently review investment, funding, governance and administration arrangements, and scrutinise advice, performance, risk, responsible investment and pooling. The work also covers assurance on controls, conflicts of interest, data, cyber resilience and business continuity, attendance at Pension Fund Committee meetings, and agreed member development. Regulated investment advice is excluded. The Fund is based in County Durham, where the service is delivered. The core service includes five meetings in each annual cycle.

The Council invited offers through a below-threshold open competition. The enquiry deadline was 20 November 2026 at 10:00, and the offer submission deadline was 27 November 2026 at 10:00. The contract is scheduled to run from 30 December 2026 to 31 December 2029, with one possible 24-month extension, subject to Council approval, extending the maximum period to 31 December 2031. The estimated value is £170,000 excluding VAT (£204,000 including VAT). There is one lot. Evaluation comprises essential pass/fail questions, technical questions weighted at 40%, interviews at 40%, and price at 20%.

The opportunity suits a highly credible pensions professional with significant experience in pension fund governance, investment, funding and administration. The work calls for independent scrutiny across a broad range of pension fund operations, including assessing advice and performance, identifying risks, and reviewing responsible investment and pooling arrangements. Suppliers also need to provide assurance on controls, conflicts, data, cyber resilience and continuity, attend committee meetings, and support agreed member development. The role is open to an individual working as a sole trader or to an organisation, and the requirement is marked as suitable for small and medium-sized businesses. It offers a route to contribute to governance and strategic decisions at one of the largest Local Government Pension Scheme funds in England and Wales, on behalf of scheme members and employers.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Durham County Council - Appointment of an Independent Person to the Pension Fund

Notice Description

Durham County Council Pension Fund is seeking an experienced Independent Person. The role carries no delegated authority and does not affect statutory responsibilities. The Independent Person will provide independent expertise, scrutiny and challenge to support effective governance, oversight and decision-making. We are looking for a highly credible pensions professional with significant experience in pension fund governance, investment, funding and administration. This can either be a sole trader or an Organisation. Services will include review of investment, funding, governance and administration arrangements; scrutiny of advice, performance, risk, responsible investment and pooling; assurance on controls, conflicts, data, cyber resilience and continuity; attendance at Committee meetings; and support for agreed member development. Regulated investment advice is excluded. The successful supplier will play a key role in supporting good governance, effective decision-making and regulatory compliance across one of the largest LGPS funds in England and Wales. This is an exciting opportunity to influence strategic decision-making and contribute to the long-term success of the Fund on behalf of its Scheme members and Scheme employers. The core service includes attendance at five meetings in each annual cycle: four Pension Fund Committee meetings and one annual meeting

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: One extension period of 24 months subject to Council approval

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0793d8
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/102761-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - open competition
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

66 - Financial and insurance services

CPV Codes

66520000 - Pension services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£170,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
£170,000 £100K-£500K
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
29 Oct 20264 days ago
Submission Deadline
27 Nov 20264 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
30 Dec 2026 - 31 Dec 2029 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Durham County Council
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
DURHAM
Postcode
DH1 5WB
Postcode Area
Durham
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLC North East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLC4 Northumberland, Durham and Tyne & Wear
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLC41 Durham
Delivery Location
TLC14 Durham
Local Authority
County Durham
Electoral Ward
Framwellgate & Newton Hall
Westminster Constituency
City of Durham

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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