Issue - meetings

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

(Relevant Portfolio Holder: Councillor Adam Yates)

Councillor Yates introduced the report of the Corporate Director of Transformation, Housing & Resources, which set out details of the operation of the Risk Management Framework over the last twelve months, recommended changes to the current Risk Management Policy & Strategy, and Toolkit, shared the findings of an external risk review and set out details on the key risks facing the Council and how they are being managed.

The minute of Executive Overview & Scrutiny Committee had been circulated prior to the meeting.

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

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

Consideration was given to the report of the Head of Finance, Procurement and Commercial Services as contained on pages 773 to 850 of the Book of Reports, which set out details of the operation of the Risk Management Framework over the last twelve months; recommended changes to the current Risk Management Policy & Strategy and Toolkit; share the findings of an external risk review and set out details on the key risks facing the Council and how they are being managed.

The Risk and Insurance Officer outlined the report and responded to comment and questions raised by Members:

·       New risk 'Cost of Living Crisis' introduced

·       Excellent Report – tracked changes will be useful in future reports

·       Concern expressed by several members in respect of the current risk assessment score for 'Delays in Preparation of new Local Plan' being too low.  Upcoming changes to NPPF on submission of local plans for Examination in Public – Paul Charlson to review

·       Planning & Regulatory Service Resources – Complaints/Communication

·       Procurement Risk – Training provision of 'fault lines, self-analysis, case studies'

A comment was raised in respect of Appendix D – Cabinet Key Risk Report – Finance, Procurement and Commercial Services 'A savings plan to address the budget gap has been drawn up for consideration by Members', that this had not been received by Members.

The Corporate Director of Transformation, Housing and Resources informed that this was provided at Council on 22 February at paragraph 10.5 of the GRA Revenue and Capital Budget Report and MTFS Update 2023/24 to 2025/26.    Members requested that this be clarified by Officers prior to Cabinet meeting.

RESOLVED:

A.       That the continuing effective operation of the Risk Management Framework as detailed in the Risk Management Annual Report 2022 (Appendix A) be noted.

B.       That the proposed amendments to the Risk Management Policy & Strategy (Appendix B) and Toolkit (Appendix C) be noted.

C.       That the findings of the external risk management review, set out in paragraph 7 of the report, be noted.

D.       That the progress made in relation to the management of the risks shown in the Key Risk Register (Appendix D) be noted and that the Committee request clarification prior to Cabinet in respect of (Appendix D) – Cabinet Key Risk Report – Finance, Procurement and Commercial Services 'A savings plan to address the budget gap has been drawn up for consideration by Members' which had not been received by Members.