Agenda item

The Committee is requested to consider the report and its appendices and make the following recommendations:

1.     That the Committee approves the changes to the Council’s Risk Management Policy & Strategy as recommended by the Strategic Risk Group.

2.     That the Committee notes the updated Strategic Risk Register and the internal controls in place, plus any associated action plans to manage those risks, and raises any issues or concerns.

Please note that Appendix 2b is a restricted part II document for members and senior officers.

The Chairman invited Mr Ward to present the report in place of Mrs Belenger.

Mr Ward explained to the Committee that Officers were present and available to answer questions on climate change and the local plan progress.

He highlighted a slight change to the report in the updated Risk Management Policy and Risk Management Strategy document which now incorporates a Risk Appetites Statement which was developed to help articulate the level of risk Councillors are willing to tolerate in delivery of the Council’s Corporate Plan objectives.

 He also noted that reports relating to changes on the Risk Register will now be reported half-yearly rather than quarterly.

The Chairman invited Members to comment and ask any questions.

Cllr O’Kelly queried whether the removal of COVID-19 from the register had been premature.

Mr Ward explained that this had been subject to considerable debate by the Strategic Risk Group and it was decided that this would now be monitored by Mr Townsend as a Business Continuity Risk rather than via the Strategic Risk Register.

Members also questioned what level of risk the Council is taking by not following the County scheme in relation to Electric Charge points within the Council’s property portfolio.

Mr Bennett agreed a strategic view of issues around Electric Charge points is required, but such discussions should be held in Part 2 within the Environment Panel rather than here within a public meeting.

The Chairman agreed that whilst this is not the arena to attempt to solve policy matters, commentary might be added relating to Electric Charge points within the Risk Register.

There was considerable discussion relating to the positioning and details of the Climate Emergency within the Risk Register. The discussion centred around the somewhat contradictory direction of travel the Council faces in responding to national policy regarding the Local Plan and the Climate Emergency, the possibility of legal challenges to the Council particularly regarding Wildlife Corridors and whether the Climate Emergency should sit higher than as a moderate risk on the Register.

Mr Bennett explained that legal implications are considered as part of all reports and confirmed that a unfortunately a great deal of Council work is subject to competing pressures. He assured the Committee that the legal team works with all colleagues to try and balance these risks and that the wider legal context is considered.

Mr Day confirmed that the Environment Act introduced an enhanced bio-diversity duty and also that in terms of the Local Plan the Council has to follow the National Policy Planning framework, but that there is no legal obligation to have a Wildlife Corridors policy.

The Chairman reminded the Committee that the report relates to the Risk Register and feels the level of risk is fairly reflected. He asked Mrs Smith however, whether she felt the Climate Emergency should be considered higher than a ‘Moderate’ risk. Mrs Smith explained that the level of risk to the Council as an organisation is largely outside of CDC control and dependent on partners and is satisfied therefore with where this sits on the Risk Register.

The Chairman thanked Officers for their contributions and with show of hands the recommendations were unanimously carried.

RESOLVED

1.    The Committee approved the changes to the Council’s Risk Management Policy & Strategy as recommended by the Strategic Risk Group

2.    The Committee noted the updated Strategic Risk Register and the internal controls in place, plus any associated action plans to manage those risks.