West Sussex County Council has been called on not to invest pension funds in smoking, gambling or anywhere where there are concerns about the violation of human rights.

During a recent meeting of the pensions committee, the council’s draft Investment Strategy Statement – which sets out the fund’s investment objectives – was discussed.

Dan Sartin, UNISON West Sussex branch secretary at County Hall, reported that pension fund members had “enthusiastically participated” in a survey, which asked about investment concerns.

More than 1,500 responses were received – an impressive figure given that the last time such a survey was conducted, only 20 or so people took part.

placeholder image — Dan Sartin, UNISON West Sussex branch secretary at County Hall

Mr Sartin said the requests to not invest in the three contentious areas were “pretty modest” – but they were not included in the draft Investment Strategy Statement.

He called for the committee to delay approving the Statement – which does not need to be published until March 31 2027 – so that the requests could be explored further.

But committee members didn’t feel the survey responses were “statistically insignificant” – the fund has 93,000 members, though only around 45,000 were contacted.

Nicholas Russell (Lib Dem, Chichester South) reminded the committee that its overriding obligation was to fulfil its fiduciary responsibilities to its members.

He added: “This is not about our opinions on particular issues. This is about the legal role of responsibility that we have as committee members to the 93,000 people who are relying on this scheme for their pensions and for getting the best return on a defined pension scheme.”

Mr Sartin insisted the survey had “credibility” with “a lot of clarity” from respondents – and that not including the three requests would render the consultation “meaningless”.

He told members: “It’s this committee which is sovereign in these matters. We do have considerable latitude and strength to frame responsible investments.

“We don’t have to simply follow the line of previous committees. That’s why we have elections – that’s why this is a new committee.

“It was always my hope that this new committee would want to move beyond what previous committees had set out.”

Mr Sartin welcomed an alternative option suggested by Deborah Urquhart (Con, Angmering & Findon), that the Investment Strategy Statement was looked at again in a year’s time, rather than the usual three years.

The pension fund is the Local Government Pension Scheme for West Sussex and is part of the Border to Coast Pensions Partnership.

It provides retirement, death, and disability benefits to current and former employees of nearly 380 employers including county, borough, district, parish and city councils, as well as schools, academies, charities and non-profit organisations.