Agenda item

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

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Executive that required the Committee to undertake a quarterly review of the Corporate Risk Register as assurance that corporate risks were being managed effectively.

The Chairperson introduced the report and deferred to the Head of Performance, Improvement and LGR to present the details. The Head of Performance, Improvement and LGR advised that the report covered the Corporate Risk Register from July to the end of September 2025 and how the Register was regularly reviewed by the Senior Leadership Team. The report highlighted where there had been changes to Risks during this period with further details of each risk and the full Risk Register set out in Appendix 1 to the report. The Corporate Risk Mitigating Actions were set out in Appendix 2 to the report.

During the debate that ensued, the following information was provided by Officers in response to queries raised:

·                It was confirmed that the Council kept a record if anyone was suing it for damages as this affected disclosure in the accounts around contingent liabilities.

·                The Head of Service advised that the recent changes to the Council’s Senior Leadership Team (SLT) had led to a refocus and review of the risk register which had resulted in changes to risk classifications and therefore some risks scores had been reduced. The Chief Executive explained that having considered the definitions for risk scoring and not wanting to overscore risks, SLT had reviewed all risks and agreed on the outcomes reported. The Chief Executive confirmed that Directors had agreed all changes and would be taking responsibility for the revisions made.

·              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 – In response to concerns raised regarding the new scoring for this risk the Director of Place, Planning and Growth explained that the planning system could only deal with mitigating the additional pressure not an existing backlog. He referred to debate at recent planning Committee meetings regarding the impact on new and piecemeal development not delivering infrastructure in a timely way. The Director explained that this risk was in relation to whether the Council was sitting on funds and not able to spend them, opposed to the reputation of the Council when funds were not being spent due to other organisations such as highways / education, for example.

·              Risk 8: Unable to recruit and retain staff with specific skills sets in specialist areas to meet the demands of the service – In response to a specific question regarding Planning Officers, the Director of Place, Planning and Growth provided Members with an update on current staffing within the team, noting that there had recently been some internal promotions. He explained that he was currently discussing a recruitment campaign with the Human Resources team which would specifically highlight the benefits of working for Maldon District Council.

·              Risk 5: Failure to maintain a Five-Year Housing Land Supply (5YHLS) – The Director of Place, Planning and Growth drew Members’ attention to the footnote within the update to this risk reporting on the updated 5YHLS calculation reported to the Planning Policy Working Group in December 2025 showing a supply of 4.14 years. This would be coming forward to a future meeting of the Council for endorsement.

The Chairperson moved the recommendations set out in the report and these were duly agreed.

RESOLVED

(i)             That Members reviewed the Corporate Risk Register in Appendix 1 to the report and provided comment and feedback for consideration;

(ii)            That Members reviewed progress of the Corporate Risk Mitigating actions in Appendix 2 and provided comment and feedback for consideration;

(iii)           that Members were assured through this review that corporate risk was being managed effectively;

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

(v)            That the wording of Risk 6 to changed from, Failure to meet the affordable housing need, to and more accurately represent the corporate risk to the Council: ‘Unable to secure sufficient and appropriately sized affordable housing to meet local need due to market conditions, development viability, and reliance on external delivery partners from Quarter Three 2025/26’.