Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Head of Finance, Procurement & Commercial Services.

(Relevant Portfolio Holder: Councillor A Yates)

The Leader introduced the report of the Corporate Director of Transformation, Housing & Resources, which provided an update on the Council's Risk Management Framework and set out details on the Key Risks facing the council and how they are being managed.

The Leader advised that the report had been considered by the Executive Overview & Scrutiny Committee on 6 September 2022, the minutes of which had been circulated prior to the meeting and referred to the agreed comments of that Committee, which read:

"That the risk owner look again at the risk 'Delays In Preparation of new Local Plan' to change the rating higher than 'cautious'."

In reaching the decision below the Cabinet considered the decision of the Executive Overview & Scrutiny Committee, the report before it and the recommendations contained therein.

RESOLVED:   That the progress made in relation to the management of the risks shown in the Key Risk Register (Appendix A) be endorsed.

To consider the report of the Head of Finance, Procurement & Commercial Services.

Consideration was given to the report of the Head of Finance, Procurement & Commercial Services as contained on pages 165 to 182 of the Book of Reports which provided an update on the council's Risk Management Framework and presented the current key risk register.

The Risk & Insurance Officer outlined the report and advised that the framework has continued to operate effectively over the last 6 months.  She informed that Annual risk refresher training for all staff commenced in June and Risk training for Members took place on 7th July. 'Lunch and Learn' Risk Management sessions continue, as does the council's risk newsletter 'Risk Roundup'.  She informed that Zurich were commissioned to carry out a risk management health check which commenced in July 2022, the findings of the report will be presented to Members with the Annual Report in February 2023.

She informed that the Key Risk Register (Appendix A) gives a summary of the 14 risks assessed as being key risks.  She advised that four new risks had been added to the Register and three risks removed.  In relation to COVID-19, it was explained that this has been removed as a key risk but remains as a 'Service Risk' as Covid -19 no longer represents a significant threat to the aims and achievements of the Council's objectives.  Members were advised that there are currently no key risks that fall into the 'critical' category.

Comments and questions were raised in respect of the following:

·       Tawd Valley Development Business Plan

·       Recruitment and Retention of Staff

·       Corporate Governance

·       General Revenue Account budget position – Quarterly update

·       Treasury Management

·       Landlord Compliance & Regulatory Requirements (Health & Safety) – Work to lower risk rating

·       Community Infrastructure levy (CIL) – A dedicated CIL Officer post has now been recruited

·       Delays in preparation of new Local Plan – Staff resources

RESOLVED:

A.    That the progress made in relation to the management of the risks shown in the Key Risk Register (Appendix A) be noted.

B.    That the following agreed comment of Executive Overview and Scrutiny Committee be considered by Cabinet:

That the risk owner look again at the risk 'Delays In Preparation of new Local Plan' to change the rating higher than 'cautious'.