Agenda item

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

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Executive that required Members to undertake a quarterly review of the Corporate Risk Register as assurance that the Council’s corporate risks were being managed effectively. A summary and detailed table of the Corporate Risk Register, latest ratings and officer commentary was attached as appendix 1 to the report.

The Chairperson introduced the report and deferred to the Head of Performance, Improvement and LGR to address the detail. The Officer advised that the report covered the Corporate Risks for the third quarter of 2025 / 26, (October - December 2025). She drew Members attention to sections 3.2 – 3.4 of the report which highlighted one proposed removal and two reductions to risks.

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

In response to concern raised by the Independent Person in respect of Local Government Reorganisation (LGR), the Chairperson provided reassurance that the matters had all been discussed and the data from PWC or Grant Thornton was available for each of the planned authority models. She advised that the Council’s officers were working with all 15 Councils to progress through to the next stages but until the ‘minded to’ decision was received from the government further progress could not be made. The Head of Performance, Improvement and LGR highlighted that the Council had a risk ‘failure to engage and be ready for any impact of Local Government Review’ and the update in respect of this risk provided detail of the work undertaken during quarter three. The Council was also progressing a programme regarding LGR internally through the Project Management Office. The Director of Finance advised that the Council was receiving updates on LGR at each Council meeting, the last being 12 February 2026. The Chief Executive was part of the Essex Chief Executive’s Group and the Director explained that he was involved with all Chief Finance Officers across Greater Essex, both groups met regularly to discuss all aspects of LGR. At this present time the ‘minded to’ decision was awaited from the Government at which point there would be an indication as to what the future shape of Essex government would be and from which further discussions could take place. It was agreed that some notes on LGR and the current status would be shared with Members and the Independent Person.

Councillor N D Spenceley commented on Risk 4 – Damage to the Council’s reputation associated with delays to planned infrastructure delivery by third parties. He noted the public perception that infrastructure was lagging behind development and growth, concerns regarding Section 106 monies not being spent, particularly in relation to health and how in recent Planning Committee meetings there had been a shift beyond the strict limits of the planning application to look at the wider cumulative effect on infrastructure. Councillor Spenceley felt that the risk score for this risk was low. In response the Chairperson advised that this would be noted.

The Chairperson then moved the recommendations which were duly agreed.

RESOLVED

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

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

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

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