Issue - meetings

This report updates councillors on the position of the council’s Corporate Risk Register. The main updates are as follows:

·        A target risk score has been added to each risk along with details of actions or strategies to support the achievement of this risk score

·        Corporate Risk CR8 - Inability to run an election/ referendum – has been escalated back for inclusion on the Corporate Risk Register

·        Corporate Risk CR14- Continuity of Public Health arrangements and evolution of outbreak management plan - The title of this risk has been refined to better describe the risk

·        Corporate Risk 17 – Risk to reputation of Place & Council if summer arrangements are not managed - This is a new risk added to the register during this quarter.

The Risk and Insurance Manager presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'B' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

The report provided the Committee with an update on the Council’s Corporate Risk Register and on the changes in risk during Quarter 4 of 2020/21. Members were reminded that the format of the updated Corporate Risk Register presented to them now combined Corporate Risks and risks previously identified in the separate COVID-19 Corporate Risk register.

It was also explained that in order to be better able to identify strategies and actions being put in place to address identified risk, a target risk score had been added to each risk along with details of the actions or strategies being put in place to support the achievement of its risk score. This supported the process by providing additional information for ongoing management of the risk. It would also facilitate better assessment and comparison of the benefits of mitigating action against the cost of such actions.

The Committee noted the additions of Corporate Risks CR8, CR14 and CR17 relating respectively to elections; community health and to summer place management arrangements.

In response to questions, the significant funding and resources being brought to bear on addressing identified areas of Adult Social Care and Children’s services provision was explained.

The Chairman referred Councillors to proposals for a Committee workshop session around the subject of the Corporate Risk Register and the aspiration was to enhance the role of the Audit and Governance Committee in challenging the effectiveness of actions proposed across the BCP Council towards mitigation of risk. This would build on the success of the workshop in April 2020 addressing the impact of the COVID 19 pandemic.

The arrangements for the workshop would be addressed later in the meeting.

RESOLVED that the Audit and Governance Committee note the Quarter 4 Corporate Risk Register Update for 2020/21.

Voting: Unanimous