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 chairperson thanked officers for the training which had been received by the committee on the corporate risk register.   It was noted that whilst the risk register was not wholly transparent, it was now more understandable. 

The head of corporate performance presented the report and highlighted the following:

·         The risk register was as at 31 December 2019

·         There were 32 strategic or most significant risks

·         3 risks on the corporate risk register were still extreme risks following mitigation which were:

o   CRR01 children’s operational staffing / workforce

o   CRR32 South Wye transport package, scheme costs increasing as a result of changes to the programme

o   CRR33 South Wye transport package, the Marches LEP withdrawing the existing growth fund.

·         The delayed transfer of care (DToC) and One Herefordshire risks had been removed.

·         3 risks had been added to the corporate risk register in connection with the South Wye transport pack.

·         The children and families risk in connection with work to support a police investigation had been closed as the investigation had been completed.   A new risk had replaced this which was in connection with the response to the investigation.

·         Hillside had been added as a risk due to the possibility of a legal charge being invoked should there be a change of use of the building. 

·         The changes had been made as a result of challenges at directorate management or management board meetings.   

As part of the committee’s discussion on the item, the following points were raised:

·         The escalation and de-escalation of risks between the registers was still not clear.

·         With regard to CRR35 (phosphate pollution in the Lugg catchment), clarification was sought on where it started as it could not be seen on the directorate risk register and how it was escalated to the corporate risk register. The head of corporate performance agreed to provide a written response.

·         It was noted that the phosphate pollution risk was not necessarily restricted to the Lugg catchment area but could affect the whole county. 

·         EP18 (5 year housing land supply / housing delivery test and element of CRR35) – this was unlikely to be resolved by April 2020 when the housing land supply was recalculated.   Herefordshire may drop to below 3 years so was there a reason why it had not be escalated to the corporate risk register.    The head of corporate performance agreed to provide a written response.

·         With regard to CF05 (Ofsted readiness) – in light of the recent Ofsted letter the committee would like to understand why this has not been escalated to the corporate risk register.  The risk of a poor Ofsted had a significant financial and reputational risk for the council.  The head of corporate performance explained that there were a number of specific risks on the corporate and directorate risk registers within the children and families area which taken together could cause a poor Ofsted.  The head of corporate performance agreed to consider with the director of children and families and the chief executive about  ...  view the full minutes text for item 420