Issue - meetings

(a)       That the Committee approves the revised Risk Management Framework (January 2024); and

(b)       That the Committee accepts the Council’s Strategic Risk Overview Report.

The Strategic Performance Advisor presented an update on the development of the risk management framework since its approval in September 2022.  An overview was provided on a range of improvements made to the framework, as detailed in the report, along with information on consultees.  The report also included the first view of the Strategic Risk Overview which incorporated all strategic risks across the organisation.

In welcoming the improvements, the Chair asked if the risks showing no direction of change were of concern.  The officer explained that this reflected where risks had not yet been updated on the Inphase system.  On a query about realistic target risk scores, she explained that since all risks were now imported into the system, the team would be working with portfolios to review and challenge target scores to ensure they were achievable.

Councillor Bernie Attridge spoke about the need for services to continually update information on their respective risks.  The Internal Audit, Performance and Risk Manager said that whilst reports were currently shared with Cabinet and Overview & Scrutiny, there were also plans for monthly reports to be shared with Chief Officers to highlight any portfolio issues.

Following comments on political ownership, the Chief Officer (Governance) suggested that wording in the framework more clearly define the primary responsibility of Cabinet Members in respect of risk management.

Sally Ellis emphasised the importance of consistent use of Inphase and the need to reflect the potential for operational risks to evolve into strategic risks within the framework, for example the Amber/Red report on Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) Checks.  The Internal Audit, Performance and Risk Manager agreed to consider this and explained that audit reports identifying risks not included on the register were shared with the Risk Management team.  She agreed to expand on roles and responsibilities within the framework to include the practice of inviting strategic risk owners to explain mitigation measures.  Comments on the inclusion of long-term trend information on the dashboard were noted and would be incorporated as the system evolved over time.

Councillor Allan Marshall sought clarity on the management of positive consequences of risks.  Officers explained that a separate module currently under development would incorporate the benefits of risk management and that officers would consider if this could be better reflected in the framework.

Councillor Glyn Banks referred to Welsh Government proposals regarding the risk around Out of County Placements and suggested that officers consider workshops to update Members on any changes.

The recommendations were moved and seconded by Councillors Bernie Attridge and Glyn Banks.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the Committee approves the revised Risk Management Framework (January 2024); and

(b)       That the Committee accepts the Council’s Strategic Risk Overview Report.