Issue - meetings

REPORT OF THE SERVICE DIRECTOR – RESOURCES

To provide the Committee with an update on the effectiveness of the Risk Management Governance arrangements at North Herts Council.

RESOLVED: That Cabinet:

(1)   Noted the mid-year Risk Management Governance update, including the update on completion of audit recommendations.

(2)   Commented on the type of Risk Management training they would like to receive going forward.

(3)   Noted the review of the Performance and Risk Management Group Terms of Reference.

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 – 1 hour 26 minutes 23 seconds

The Chair invited Councillor Sean Nolan, as Chair of Finance, Audit and Risk Committee to present the referral on this item. Councillor Nolan advised that there had been discussion about risk management to try and understand the reviews and the process that projects go through to be assigned a level of risk awarded by officers.

Councillor Ian Albert, Executive Member for Finance and IT, presented the report entitled ‘Mid Year Update on Risk Management Governance’ and advised that:

·       This report commented on the strategy and application of strategy for risk management.

·       The report demonstrated the risk reviews that were currently taking place and as the risk register was a live document, there would be changes to risk scores.

·       New and emerging risk was covered in Section 8.5.

·       Items with a corporate risk score of 4.2 or above were detailed in Section 8.6.

·       Training could be provided to assist Cabinet to develop their knowledge further regarding risk management.

Councillor Elizabeth Dennis, as Chair, asked the Service Director – Resources to provide details of what risk management training had been provided in the past to Members and that could then be discussed by Members so they could make an informed choice.

In a response to a question from Councillor Steve Jarvis, the Service Director – Resources advised that there would always be a gap between the risk review date and when they were reported to Cabinet. That gap was longer this time as the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee meeting took place prior to Christmas. 

Councillor Ian Albert proposed and Councillor Alistair Willoughby seconded and, following a vote, it was:

RESOLVED: That Cabinet:

(1)   Noted the mid-year Risk Management Governance update, including the update on completion of audit recommendations.

(2)   Commented on the type of Risk Management training they would like to receive going forward.

(3)   Noted the review of the Performance and Risk Management Group Terms of Reference.

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.