Agenda item

REPORT OF THE SERVICE DIRECTOR – RESOURCES

An update of the Risk Management Governance at North Herts Council.

RESOLVED: That Finance, Audit and Risk Committee:

(1)   Noted and provided comments to Cabinet on the mid-year Risk Management Governance update, including progress made with 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.

RECOMMENDED TO CABINET: That Cabinet consider the comments provided from Finance, Audit and Risk Committee on the mid-year Risk Management Governance update, including progress made with completion of audit recommendations.

REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATION:

(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 22 minutes 10 seconds

The Service Director – Resources presented the report entitled ‘Mid Year Update on Risk Management Governance’ and highlighted that:

·       The reporting of performance risks and performance indictors was included in the Council Delivery Plan and reviewed by Overview and Security and Cabinet. However it was important that this Committee also had an understanding of the risks which were contained in this report.

·       The Corporate risk matrix was detailed on page 34 of the report, with table 1 showing the risk movements over the last six months.

·       The risks were reviewed on a regular basis, they were not static risks and section 8.4 of the report detailed the review schedule.

·       New, emerging and archived risks were highlighted at section 8.5 of the report and included two new entries, the Baldock Industrial Estate Fire and the Reinforced Auto cladding Aerated Concrete (RAAC) risk.

·       RAAC had not been found in any buildings that were considered to be at a high-risk of having RAAC and work was ongoing to complete a review of all Council buildings and it was expected that this risk would shortly be closed.

·       There was a SIAS report on risk management detailed in section 9 of the report which made five recommendations, one was still outstanding relating to the move to SharePoint.

·       SharePoint was expected to go live on 19 December 2023.

·       The Senior Management Group (SMG) undertook Horizon Scanning for mid to long term risks. They came up with risks in relation to resourcing (including the struggle to recruit and existing staff that may retire), political risks (local and national) and cyber security.

·       Business Continuity was reviewing how the Council would react to a loss of key systems (including a cyber attack on the IT Systems) and investigating which areas would be priorities and which systems could be managed manually.

·       The SMT reviewed the opportunities at Churchgate and the associated risks.

·       The Local Plan was being reviewed, especially the implications of more dwellings and the impact these would have on funding, and services.

The following Member asked questions:

·       Councillor Tamsin Thomas

·       Councillor Terry Hone

·       Councillor Tom Plater

·       Independent Person John Cannon

In response to questions the Service Director – Resources stated that:

·       RACC assessments had been completed for the Burymead museum storage and all the leisure facilities.

·       SharePoint will be available on Councillors devices.

·       There had been some delays on reviewing service risks, however these had now been completed. More details on these delays could be provided outside of this meeting.

·       The Churchgate project was moving forward, however the Service Manager would be able to confirm the exact details for the change in risk level, which could then be forwarded to the Committee.

·       The condition of the Churchgate building had been assessed and a plan for short term work prior to the regeneration was in place. Should the plan drift there could be the potential to raise the risk level.

·       The Overview and Scrutiny Committee and Cabinet had reviewed the Waste contract and the bin capacity for recycling with the 3,3,3 collection cycle.

·       The Risk Managers and associated Service Manager reviewed their service risks at different times. A Risk Officer supported the risk reviews and their reporting, and this was on a cyclical basis.

·       The frequency of a service risk assessment would depend on the risk level. For projects, the project board would receive a more detailed risk report.

In response to the training requests of the Committee, the Service Director – Resources stated that a training session could be provided on the theory of risk management and determining risk scores. Members were also reminded that they were welcome to attend the Risk and Performance Management group sessions.

Councillor Tom Plater proposed and Councillor Terry Hone seconded and, following a vote, it was:

RESOLVED: That Finance, Audit and Risk Committee:

(1)   Noted and provided comments to Cabinet on the mid-year Risk Management Governance update, including progress made with 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.

RECOMMENDED TO CABINET: That Cabinet consider the comments provided from Finance, Audit and Risk Committee on the mid-year Risk Management Governance update, including progress made with completion of audit recommendations.

REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATION:

(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.