Agenda item

To consider the report of the Chief Executive, (copy enclosed).

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Executive which set out the requirement for it to undertake a quarterly review of the Corporate Risk Register as assurance that corporate risks were being managed effectively. A table of the Corporate Risk Register latest ratings and Officer commentary was attached as Appendix 1 to the report.

It was reported that the risk rating for Risk 4 – Damage caused to the Council’s reputation associated with delays to planned infrastructure delivery in the District by third parties which was due to mitigate approved development, had been decreased based on risk policy grading guidance. Closure of Risk 11 – Uncertainty of the cost of living crisis impacts was recommended due to there now being more national economical certainty and the continuation of any impact being managed within the services.

During the discussion that ensued, the following risks were discussed and information provided by Officers:

·                Risk 4 – Damage caused to the Council’s reputation associated with delays to planned infrastructure delivery in the District by third parties which was due to mitigate approved development: A number of Members expressed concern regarding this risk being reduced, acknowledging that although the Council didn’t have direct responsibility for infrastructure the public’s perception would directly impact on the Council. In response, the Assistant Director – Planning and Implementation noted the comments and agreed that future commentary of this risk would include any communications to identify where the Council was lobbying other organisations such as chasing delivery of the Heybridge health centre. Officers would also ensure that the Council’s communications team were aware of these.

Members were advised that decreasing this risk was a result of the recently approved updated Risk Management Policy and the method contained within it. In response to a suggestion from the Assistant Director, the Chairperson requested that Officers discuss with the Assistant Director – Programmes, Performance and Governance whether the outcome of this risk changing may need reflecting in the Policy and its method, rather than the risk itself.

·                Risk 6 – Failure to meet the affordable housing need: The figures relating to this risk were queried as the Council’s housing register supply appeared to be good, when comparing with other Essex councils. The Assistant Director – Place and Community explained that this risk related to the volume of people on the housing register verses the amount of available property. The Assistant Director agreed to discuss the comments raised with the Housing Team to see if there was a more accurate way of reflecting this Risk.

There was some discussion about the need to have Key Performance Indicators relating to this risk in order to promote how well the Council was performing against it. It was commented that the risk itself would always be a high level risk due to its potential impact to residents and the key was having a performance indicator to show how the Council was meeting its targets. Further to the discussion, the Chairperson advised that Officers would review this risk and consider whether it should be split.

The Chairperson referred to the proposed closure of Risk 11 and it was agreed that this would be closed. She then put the recommendations set out in the report and these were duly agreed.

RESOLVED

(i)             That Members confirmed review of the Corporate Risk Register (at Appendix 1 to the report);

(ii)            That Members confirmed review of the progress of Corporate Risk Mitigating actions set out in Appendix 2 to the report;

(iii)           That Members are assured through this review that corporate risk and is being managed effectively;

(iv)           That Members challenged risk where the Committee felt that the Council’s corporate goals may not be achieved.