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. The review is referred on to Cabinet and Council to ensure that there is effective oversight of the governance arrangements that are in place.

RESOLVED: That Cabinet noted this report.

RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL: That Council note the report.  

REASONS FOR DECISION:

(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 – 10 minutes 12 seconds

The Chair invited Councillor Sean Nolan, as Chair of the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee, to present the referral on this item. Councillor Nolan advised that there had been general discussion around:

·       This new Civic Year, the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee had a few new Members who had a background in risk management which would be a strength to the Committee.

·       Understanding the risk following the Baldock Fire and what this represented to the Council.

·       Risk and legislation following post Brexit legislation changes from EU laws and any potential changes following the General Election.

·       Understanding scoring systems and how risks were kept.

Councillor Ian Albert, as Executive Member for Finance and IT, presented the report entitled ‘Annual Report on Risk Management Governance’ and advised that:

·       Risk management was a vital part of the work of the Council and ensured it was operating effectively.

·       This report detailed the various aspects of work carried out on risk management over the year.

·       Risk management also covered a range of link topics which were health and safety, insurance and business continuity.

·       A visual risk profile of key Corporate Risks could be found in paragraph 8.2.5

·       Details of the high scoring service level risks, which were also documented and which sat below corporate risks, could be found in paragraph 8.2.6.

·       The Senior Management Group had carried out an exercise in relation to risks including cyber-attacks, which had resulted in the setting up of a new Cyber Board, as highlighted in paragraph 8.5.3.

Councillor Ian Albert proposed and Councillor Dave Winstanley seconded and, following a vote, it was:

RESOLVED: That Cabinet noted this report.

RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL: That Council note the report. 

REASONS FOR DECISION:

(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.