Issue - meetings

This report provides information on the Council’s significant business risks, as identified by deployment of the risk management strategy, and details progress made in embedding risk management arrangements across the organisation.

RESOLVED:(i) That the contents of the report, and progress to date, be noted;

(ii)               That the Director of Resources be requested to ensure that the work of the Risk Management system is worked into the Single Improvement Programme as a prioritisation of officer resources;

                        (iii) That the “Current National Economic Situation” and “Credit Crunch” be included in the Significant Business Risks;

                        (iv) That it be requested that future reports detail the improvements to efficiency and service delivery that have been achieved through this work.

REASON:      To be aware of progress made to date in respect of risk management arrangements at the Council, to ensure that there is clear awareness of risk when delivering key changes in the Council, and to demonstrate the benefits of risk management.

Members considered a report which provided information on the Council’s significant business risks, as identified by deployment of the risk management strategy, and outlined progress made in embedding risk management arrangements across the organisation.

The introduction of risk consideration into service planning and the implementation of a web based risk register (Magique) had resulted in the compilation of a comprehensive and robust corporate risk register.  A consolidated view of all the Council’s significant business risks was provided in Annex A to the report.  A key focus area since last year’s report had been the development of a corporate risk monitoring report for Corporate Management Team (CMT), based around the areas of Key Corporate Risks, or KCRs.  Risks currently identified as KCRs were:

• Implementation of new pay & grading structure
• Delivery of the accommodation review project
• Delivery of the waste management strategy partnership
• Delivering the Local Area Agreement
• Significant programmes of change
• Business continuity
• Effective government and management of partnerships

Monitoring and reporting arrangements were continuing to be developed and strengthened across the Council, with the Audit and Governance Committee receiving bi-annual reports on progress.  Action to support the embedding of risk management included the delivery of a comprehensive training and communication plan to staff and Members on an annual basis.  This year’s Risk Management Work Plan included the reviewing and updating of the current risk management strategy and the drafting of a risk management policy.  These would be brought to Executive for approval as part of next year’s report.

Having noted the comments of the Shadow Executive on this item, it was

RESOLVED:(i) That the contents of the report, and progress to date, be noted;

(ii)               That the Director of Resources be requested to ensure that the work of the Risk Management system is worked into the Single Improvement Programme as a prioritisation of officer resources;¹

                        (iii) That the “Current National Economic Situation” and “Credit Crunch” be included in the Significant Business Risks;²

                        (iv) That it be requested that future reports detail the improvements to efficiency and service delivery that have been achieved through this work.³

REASON:      To be aware of progress made to date in respect of risk management arrangements at the Council, to ensure that there is clear awareness of risk when delivering key changes in the Council, and to demonstrate the benefits of risk management.