To provide assurance of the adequacy of the council’s risk management framework and internal controls in 2025/26.

The Director of Finance (DOF) introduced the report. Attention was drawn to the corporate risk register at Appendix A which identified the controls and mitigations that were in place against each 9 identified corporate risks. The report provided an update on the activity that had been undertaken in quarter 1 to embed the revised risk strategy and risk appetite statement across service directorates and project risk registers and to improve the culture of risk management across the council. It also identified some planned work for the remainder of the financial year to continue the strengthening of risk management across the Council.

In response to committee questions, it was noted:

1.      The committee was reminded that its remit was not to consider specific risks. However, assurances were sought and given with regards to a major project, as specified in the public questions that had been received, that mitigations were in place for identified risks and they were being managed effectively. 

2.     The process and reasoning behind “R9 Risk of financial failure of major supplier” being added to the strategy was explained.  

3.     Consideration would be given to the wording used in R9, to consider “key” or “critical” rather than “major” when it is next reviewed by cabinet.

4.     Risk of over reliance on a single supplier would be expected to be included on a directorate or service level risk register.

Resolved

The committee noted the report and agreed to continue receiving updates quarterly.