Appointments to the Northern Ireland Local Government Officers’ Superannuation Committee

1. The Northern Ireland Local Government Officers’ Superannuation Committee (NILGOSC) was established in April 1950 to operate a pension scheme for the local councils and other similar bodies in Northern Ireland. The pension scheme is a defined benefit pension scheme. NILGOSC is the corporate body responsible for the administration of the Scheme and is a non-departmental public body, sponsored by the Department for Communities.

2. The Member positions are eligible for a daily allowance of £250 for a minimum commitment of two days per month, plus travel and subsistence.

3. These appointments have been made in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland Code of Practice.

4. All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland requires political activity of appointees to be published.

5. Biographical details:

New appointments:

Mr Derek McCallan is Chief Executive of the NI Local Government Association, NILGA. This includes the role of NI Employers Secretary to the National Joint Council, NJC, a Statutory Body which designs, sets and reviews council staff pay, terms and conditions across N. Ireland, Wales and England. The Employers role involves accountable & sensitive decision taking, in relation to over 12.500 staff, together with corporate, media and political scrutiny. Pensions planning, sustainability and understanding is critical to the NILGA CEO and NI Employers roles as undertaken by him. Mr McCallan has declared no political activity in the last five years and holds no other public appointments.

Ms Heather McKinstry is the Trade Unit Side Officer for the Education Authority with responsibility for co-ordination of the work of the complex multi-union environment. She is also the Joint Chair of Unison’s Local Government Service Group, a member of the Education Trade Union Group of NIC ICTU and the Chairperson of the EA Southern Education Unison Branch. She has gained experience in responding to consultations and developing policies, which covered both finance and governance, analysing complex financial reports and business plans. In a previous employment her duties included joining new employees into the pension scheme and completing forms and calculations for those leaving employment and the scheme. Ms McKinstry has declared no political activity in the last five years and holds no other public appointments.

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