To provide an update on the status of corporate risks at the end of Quarter 1 2025/26 (June 2025) and provide assurance that risks are being managed effectively across the council.

ChildrenCHTHE MEMBER the The member for finance and corporate services introduced the report. 

It was noted that the revised corporate risk register approved by cabinet in June 2025 included 8 corporate risks and at Quarter 1 a further risk was added to the risk register, R9 which recognised the risk of financial failure of a major supplier to the council resulting in disruption to statutory services or major projects.  It was confirmed there were no changes to the risk scores for the remaining 8 corporate risks during Quarter 1.

It was confirmed that the council’s 25/26 internal audit plan was reviewed to ensure it aligned with the refreshed risk strategy and the risks identified in the corporate risk register. It was also confirmed that work continued to ensure the strategy was translated to the management of risk across services and projects and that it drove decision making and service delivery. 

It was highlighted that further activity was planned in Quarter 2 to further embed and strengthen risk management, and these were set out.   

It was confirmed that risk management was a key part of the council's governance arrangements and the risk management strategy supported compliance with statutory requirements of the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015.

Appendix A set out the corporate risk register, and the risks were clearly linked to the Council Plan, providing a golden thread linking it all together. 

There were no comments from cabinet members. 

Group leaders gave the views of their groups.  It was noted as reassuring that risks were being reviewed on a quarterly basis and the Quarter 2 report was awaited along with confirmation that the planned activities had been completed.   

There were no responses to group leaders.

Councillor Stoddart proposed the recommendations, and it was unanimously resolved that:

That Cabinet:

(a)   Approves the updates to the Corporate Risk Register and actions to mitigate identified risks at Quarter 1 2025/26.

(b)   Notes the activity to embed the revised risk management strategy to strengthen risk management activity across the council at Corporate, Directorate and Service levels.