Issue - meetings

REPORT OF THE SERVICE DIRECTOR – RESOURCES

A Quarterly update on Risk Management at North Herts District Council and the Annual report on Risk Management for the 2021 Year.

RESOLVED:

(1)       That the reviews of the Corporate Risks for the quarter be noted; and

(2)       That the Annual report on Risk Management be noted.

RECOMMENDED TO CABINET:

(1)       The reviews of the Corporate Risks for the quarter;

(2)       That there be no change to the Cyber risks (current risk score of 8 and a Target Risk score of 6);

(3)       That the Brexit (EU Transition) Risk be decreased in the current risk score from a 7 to a 5, and a Target risk score of 3; and

(4)       That the Annual report on Risk Management be noted.

That Cabinet recommend to Council:

(1)       That the Annual report on Risk Management be noted.

REASONS FOR DECISIONS:

(1)       The responsibility for ensuring the management of risks is that of Cabinet.

(2)       This Committee has responsibility to monitor the effective development and operation of Risk Management.

Audio Recording – 28 Minutes

The Service Director – Resources presented the report entitled Risk Management Update, including the appendices.  The Service Director advised that two risks had been reviewed; these were Cyber risks and the Brexit (EU Transition) Risk.

The Service Director – Resources informed Members that Consultation had been carried out with the Senior Management Team and the Risk Management Group (RMG).

The Service Director advised that that that he would inform Members when the next RMG was taking place.

Directing his attention to Appendix C - Annual Report on Risk Management, the Service Direction provided further information relating to the Insurance Review, Business Continuity Plans and Health and Safety. He also drew Members’ attention to the Key Actions for 2021/22 which outlined actions that would ensure the continued development of risk management at the Council.

The following Members asked questions of the Service Director – Resources:

·                Councillor Terry Hone;

·                Councillor Clare Billing; and

·                Councillor Adam Compton.

In response to questions raised, the Service Director – Resources advised:

·                The Delivery of the Waste Collection and Street Cleansing Services Contract appeared on the risk matrix as Medium/High owing to the size of the contract and the impact was significant should problems arise. However, the risk needed to be reviewed again as the service was operating well despite the occasional issues;

·                There were several risks on the matrix that covered issues such as the impact of evictions and the end of the furlough of scheme on the Council’s finances. These risks were: Increased homelessness, Novel Coronavirus and Managing the Council’s Finances.

·                He would be happy to look at re-wording ‘e-tendering system able to transmit to the new government e-procurement system in the event of a no-deal Brexit’.

Having been proposed and seconded, it was put to the vote and:

RESOLVED:

(1)       That the reviews of the Corporate Risks for the quarter be noted; and

(2)       That the Annual report on Risk Management be noted.

RECOMMENDED TO CABINET:

(1)       The reviews of the Corporate Risks for the quarter;

(2)       That there be no change to the Cyber risks (current risk score of 8 and a Target Risk score of 6);

(3)       That the Brexit (EU Transition) Risk be decreased in the current risk score from a 7 to a 5, and a Target risk score of 3; and

(4)       That the Annual report on Risk Management be noted.

That Cabinet recommend to Council:

(1)       That the Annual report on Risk Management be noted.

REASONS FOR DECISIONS:

(1)       The responsibility for ensuring the management of risks is that of Cabinet.

(2)       This Committee has responsibility to monitor the effective development and operation of Risk Management.