Chichester District Council
Agenda item

Agenda item

Risk Management Update

The Committee is recommended to:

1.1.    Approve the minor changes to the Council’s Risk Management Policy & Strategy recommended by the Strategic Risk Group.

1.2.    Note 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.

1.3.    Note that the Programme Boards Risk Registers have ceased as a result of a change in the Council’s action plans as set out in the Recovery Plan reported to Council in July.

*Note Exempt category Paragraph 3 (Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)

Minutes:

Mrs Belenger outlined the report and reminded the Committee of the exempt element of the report at Appendix 2(b) on pages 177 to 179. 

 

The Strategic Risk Group had met to review the Council’s latest strategic risk registers and although the Group did not make any changes to the risk scores, a detailed discussion had taken place on the risk register, which was a live document and, therefore, could be amended at any point during the year.  The Group had accepted the risks as being well managed by officers, taking into account the controls in place and any mitigation.  Especially in light of the response to the Covid 19 pandemic as   the Council was able respond to its impact, able to deliver its services and improve its business continuity solutions. 

 

The committee made the following comments and received answers to questions as follows:

 

·      Queried if there was a need to increase the no deal Brexit likelihood, in light of the Government’s recent announcement and concern was raised that businesses might not be ready in time if this did happen? Mrs Belenger replied that officers were working on updating the Council’s  response in relation to the likelihood of a no deal Brexit, which included the continuation of its supply chain and the expected response in relation to food standards etc.  The Council was assisting local businesses by signposting them to government  information to enable them to prepare for this possibility.

·      Concern was expressed with regard to the challenges the Council faced for the Local Plan and Southern Gateway, although internal controls were in place they were high risk.

·      A comment was made of the possibility of future physiological effects on society because of the impact of home working due to the Covid 19 pandemic, which might not suit everyone.  It was suggested that officers should look at the impacts, which might not be apparent immediately, and be open to adding this matter as a risk. Mrs Belenger noted the comment for future reference.

·      Queried what homelessness support was in place, to deal with the effects of mortgage holidays coming to an end, tenant evictions recommencing and unemployment rising.  Mrs Belenger advised that the Council’s project at Freelands Close, Chichester would assist the Council to meet its statutory homeless provision requirements in the future, plus there are  various new  financial support mechanisms, such as the Government hardship grants.  This risk was on the Council’s radar, being included on the relevant services’ risk registers and could be escalated at any time to the Strategic Risk Register.  

·      Concern was raised that officers might not have the capacity to deal with environmental protection matters or progress the actions in the Climate Change Action Plan, as other pieces of work may have priority as a result of the pandemic.  In noting this concern, the Chairman asked Mrs Belenger to consider if there were other areas that the Council should give consideration to.  A member questioned that although the broad risk register included climate change, the climate change emergency was not specifically stated.  Mrs Belenger replied that all major projects had their own risk register.  She undertook to see if there was a need to expand the risk registers to include the climate change emergency in reporting to members and whether or not it would be appropriate for it to have its own risk register.  

 

RESOLVED

 

1.     That the minor changes to the Council’s Risk Management Policy & Strategy recommended by the Strategic Risk Group be approved;

2.     That 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 be noted.

3.        That the Programme Boards Risk Registers have ceased as a result of a change in the Council’s action plans as set out in the Recovery Plan reported to Council in July be noted.

 

Supporting documents:

 

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