Issue - meetings

That the responses to the Internal Audit report findings be noted as reflecting robust assurance of the Council’s risk management arrangements.

The Chief Executive presented the report on the response to the findings of the Risk Management audit report to give assurance on the robustness of the Council’s risk management arrangements.  He said that this was a good example of using a live piece of work and referred to the three areas of strategy, systems and operations within risk management.

Whilst the Strategic Assessment of Risks & Challenges (SARC) had been useful, it was recognised that a refresh of the format was needed to link to the Improvement Plan.  The Committee was also advised of the review of partnership registers and the capturing of risks integrated to project management.  The Chief Executive said that the improvements represented a good organisational ‘cultural change’ and would be tested when working on projects.

Mr. J. Herniman of Wales Audit Office (WAO) said that comments had previously been made on the SARC and welcomed its review.

Councillor T. Newhouse queried the number of significant risks compared with those listed in the Internal Audit final report.  The Internal Audit Manager gave assurance that there were no omissions, explaining that the two significant risks listed in section 1.06 had been combined in the previous agenda item.

RESOLVED:

That the responses to the Internal Audit report findings be noted as reflecting robust assurance of the Council’s risk management arrangements.