To consider the status of the council’s corporate risk register in order to monitor the effectiveness of risk management within the Performance, Risk and Opportunity Management framework.

The head of corporate performance presented the report.

As part of the discussion on item, the following was highlighted:

·        It was the six monthly update.

·        The performance, risk, opportunities and management (PROM) framework set out where the responsibilities for risk lay.   The PROM also provided guidance on how to rate and score risk. 

·        Management Board were responsible for the corporate risk register

·        The register was reviewed by Cabinet on a quarterly basis. 

·        The PROM was currently being reviewed and was due to be presented to the February 2020 Cabinet for approval. 

·        Cabinet were due to discuss the corporate risk register at its meeting to be held on 27 November 2019. 

·        When risks were removed from the corporate risk register, it was a reflection of the changes which had occurred either with the inherent risk or actions taken to mitigate the risk.  If appropriate, the risk will continue to remain in the directorate risk register.

·        Concern was raised at the number of looked after children (LAC) and the reasons for this.   The chief executive explained that work was being undertaken in this regard and that when Ofsted had last inspected children’s services, no child was found to be at risk of significant harm. 

·        That the registers were at 30 September 2019.

Following a query from a member of the committee, it was confirmed that there was guidance within the PROM on the escalation or de-escalation of risks between the risk registers.    The registers were agenda items at directorate leadership team (DLT) meetings and the emerging and existing risks were discussed.    The corporate risk register was then discussed and reviewed at management board meetings.    There was a clear transition between the directorate and corporate risk registers.    It was noted that for the committee to see both registers was a lot information.  

A member of the committee requested that consideration be given to more visual representation of the risk registers.  

It was suggested that it would be beneficial if the committee received training on the corporate risk register and the PROM framework.  It was agreed that this training take place in January / February 2020. 

It was noted that at full Council there had been a number of discussions, e.g. climate emergency and the impact of phosphorus levels on planning applications and the 5-year land supply which were not reflected in  the risk register.  It was further noted that the decision to pause and review the South Wye transport package and Hereford transport package which had recently been made was also not on the corporate risk register. 

A member of the committee queried how risks were identified and the scoring because using the community hospital risk as an example, the minor injuries units in Leominster and Ross on Wye had been closed.   These closures had public health and community implications and the decision had been made by the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and there appeared to have been no consultation.    It was confirmed that risks were identified by directorates and were not just financial risks and, for example, environmental, public health and health and safety were also considered and there were different criteria for assessing those risks.   The chief executive explained that the views of the council presented to health organisations in different meetings and that this may be an area which would be of interest to the health and wellbeing board.   It was noted that as a partnership board, the board did not input into the corporate risk register. 

It was noted that the risks were assessed by officers who had the most knowledge about an area but who were not necessarily aware of the concerns of the wider public.

In response to a query from a member of the committee, Grant Thornton confirmed that they do look at going concern risks as part of the value for money opinion and do speak the chief finance officer about financial risks and challenges.   As part of this, they would look at the risk associated with grant funding, any clawback clauses, the council’s general and earmarked reserves, etc. 

It was suggested that a discussion between the chairperson of audit and governance and the three scrutiny chairpersons takes place about the risks on the corporate risk registers. 

The head of corporate performance agreed to provide a written response on whether any council staff were members of the Association of Local Authority Risk Managers.

RESOLVED

That

(a)   The report be noted; and

(b)   Training on the corporate risk register and performance, risk, opportunity management framework be provided in January / February 2020.