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 corporate risk register was as at the end of March 2020.   In response to members of the committee queries, the head of corporate performance confirmed that there had been capacity issues in updating the risk registers.   The committee would prefer to see a more up to date version in order to assure themselves that risks were being appropriately considered in line with the council’s risk framework.   It was noted that cabinet on 25 June 2020 were also due to see the risk register and they would be receiving the same version.    It was further noted that it would be for the Executive to act on the risk register.   

Cllr Peter Jinman left the meeting at 11.43 am. 

It was noted that the children and families directorate savings had a risk in terms of the medium term financial strategy (MTFS) and there was a specific risk with the children and families directorate being able to balance their budget.   There had been no change to the risk score and it was currently the joint second highest risk on the register

The top 6 risks had been on the corporate risk register from between 2014 to 2017 and these long standing risks are listed as further mitigation being required.  This indicated that they were above the council’s current “risk appetite.”   The head of corporate performance confirmed that these risks and mitigation would be in the county delivery plan, directorate plans, service plans.   There would be some transformational plans, for example getting to good in children and families directorate.  

It was noted that the children and families directorate risk register appeared to be light when compared to the adults and communities directorate and economy and place directorate and given the budget and nature of the directorate.  

The committee discussed the possibility of the director of children and families directorate being invited to the meeting to explain the process of mitigation which had applied to the risks in the directorate.  This may provide assurance to the committee that the risks were being managed in such a manner as to mitigate them in line with the council’s risk appetite.   It was agreed that the chairperson would speak to the director to outline the areas which the committee were seeking assurance on and potentially the director attending the meeting on 30 July 2020.

The revised PROM was due for approval by Cabinet in October 2020 and it was anticipated that this may provide assistance in mitigating the risks in the children and young people’s directorate.  It was agreed that the revised PROM would form part of the corporate risk register report due to be presented at the committee’s meeting on 30 July 2020. 

The committee requested sight of the Covid-19 risk register.

It was noted that in connection with the CRR37 (corporate risk register), there were references to February 2020 and March 2020 actions and these actions should be updated as the report was up to end of March 2020. 

RESOLVED that:

(a)  The committee receive the corporate risk register on a quarterly basis;

(b)  The chairperson speaks to the director of children and families directorate to outline the areas which the committee were seeking assurance on.   

(c)   The Covid-19 risk register be included as part of the corporate risk register report scheduled for 30 July 2020.