Agenda item

The Leader presented the report, the purpose of which was intended to provide Cabinet Members with the Quarter 4 update on the Corporate Risk Register, which supports the delivery of the Council’s Corporate Plan 2017/22.  Cabinet was asked to consider the contents of the report and note the changes to the Risk Register for Quarter 4.

In summary the changes to the Corporate Risk Register at the end of Quarter 4 showed there were 14 corporate risks consisting 5 high risks and 8 medium risks and 1 low risk.

Appendix 1 of the report provided Members with a summary of the risks and movement with the risk scores over the last year.

Appendix 2 of the report provided a detailed report of the Corporate Risk Register.

The Leader detailed the following issues:

In Quarter 4, three risks had their risk scores changed:

Risk 1 (Legislative Requirements)

·         This risk was focused on the legislative changes with the Welsh Language Act, Well-being for Future Generations Act, Data Protection Act and Waste Management. 

·         The risk score had moved from 12 to 6 in quarter 4 to reflect the work that had been undertaken to comply with the Well-being for Future Generations Act. 

·         This risk will be reviewed in Quarter 1 of 2019/20 as part of a wider corporate risk assessment.

Risk 4 (Brexit)

·         In the last Quarter the Council had made sufficient preparations for the initial Brexit deadline of 29^th March 2019.

·         With the National Government postponing Brexit to 31^st October 2019 and the work undertaken by the Council to manage the threat of a No Deal Scenario has resulted in the Council reducing the score from 16 to 12.

·         However, officers and this administration are remaining vigilant in monitoring the situation and will be prepared to increase its Brexit preparations should the situation change again.

Risk 5 (In Year Financial Management)

·         This risk score moved from 8 (medium risk) to 4 (low risk) at the end of the financial year to reflect the overall underspend in the Council’s budget.

·         However, in light of the continuing demand pressures of key Council services in 2019/20 this risk will be reviewed and reflect the forecasted budget for the end of this financial year 2019/20.

The Leader confirmed the Corporate Risk Register for Quarter 4 was presented to the Council’s Audit Committee on 6^th June 2019 who noted the contents of the report and the risk management process.

The Audit Committee had also been informed that the Council was preparing a Risk Appetite Statement to support its overall Risk Management Policy; Audit Committee would welcome the opportunity to support the Cabinet and the Council in making this statement and to provide as necessary any comments and/or recommendations for Cabinet to consider.

Cllr Whitcutt queried whether the Brexit risk rating would change should Brexit not happen on the 31^st October.  The Chief Executive confirmed the risk register is a dynamic document which is constantly evaluated and will be updated as required.

Cllr Cockeram raised concern about the increased pressure on demand led services, in particular the issues associated with staff retention within domiciliary care.  The Leader agreed to write to Welsh Government on this issue and to enquire what contingencies they have in place going forward.

Cabinet considered the following options:

1.    To consider the contents of the Corporate Risk Register and request an update on the progress of actions taken to address the recommendations raised by the Audit Committee and Cabinet, in the Quarter three report.

2.    To request further information or reject the contents of the risk register.

Decision:

Cabinet agreed Option 1.