Issue - meetings

(a)          That the improved risk management approach as part of streamlining and integrating the business planning arrangements be endorsed and the Committee assured that the proposed improvements for risk management are robust; and

(b)          That the summary of strategic risks, as related to the Improvement Priorities of the Council, be noted.

The Performance Team Leader introduced an update on the improved risk management approach as part of streamlining and integrating the business planning arrangements.  An overview was also given of the key risks of the Improvement Priorities of the Council at year end.  Attention was drawn to the actions being taken by the Council to strengthen its approach to risk management, also addressing findings as previously identified in the Wales Audit Office (WAO) Corporate Assessment report and an Internal Audit report.  Information was also provided on the implementation of the new approach across the nine new Programme Boards and phased introduction of a new performance management system (CAMMS).  On Improvement Plan strategic risks, the Quarter 4 position in March 2015 reported a reduction in Red (high) risks and increase in Green (low) risks.  As an update to the report, the risk trend position since Quarter 4 showed six increasing, 28 decreasing and 45 remaining the same.

In response to a question from Councillor Glyn Banks, the Performance Team Leader explained that the new 6x4 risk matrix included more categories which offered more clarity on how risks were changing over time, particularly in relation to the mitigation being put in place and changes to the environment, eg  new legislation.

On the Improvement Plan 2014/15 Risks Summary for April 2015, Mr. Paul Williams queried some of the 2014 target score dates for the Financial Strategy sub-priority.  The Performance Team Leader acknowledged that those dates would need to be updated.

When asked by Mr. Williams what could be done as further improvement, Mr. Paul Goodlad of WAO gave assurance that the new risk management approach would be given time to implement fully before being reviewed to ascertain its effectiveness.

RESOLVED:

(a)          That the improved risk management approach as part of streamlining and integrating the business planning arrangements be endorsed and the Committee assured that the proposed improvements for risk management are robust; and

(b)          That the summary of strategic risks, as related to the Improvement Priorities of the Council, be noted.