Agenda item

The Leader presented the report that provided Cabinet with an update of the Council’s Corporate Risk Register for the end of Quarter 1 (30^th June 2020).

The report asked Members to consider the contents of the report and to note the changes to the risk.

The report stated that the Council’s Risk Management Policy and Corporate Risk Register enables the administration and officers to effectively identify, manage and monitor those risks which could prevent the Council from achieving its objectives in the Corporate Plan (2017-22) and the statutory duties as a local authority.

The report confirmed the Quarter 1 risk report will also be presented to the Council’s Audit Committee in October 2020 to review the Council’s risk management process and governance arrangements.

At the end of quarter 1 the corporate risk register included 19 risks requiring monitoring from Cabinet and the Council’s Corporate Management Team.  All other risks are monitored through the Council’s service areas and Corporate Management Team.  Mechanisms are in place to escalate any new or existing risk to the Corporate Risk Register. 

In quarter 1 there are 13 Severe risks (risk scores 15 to 25); 4 Major risks (risk scores 7 to 14) and 2 Moderate risks (risk scores 1 to 3). 

Seven risks had remained at the same risk score as quarter 4.

The Leader referred to the following:

New/Escalated Risks

·         In quarter 1, there was one new risk (Ash Die Back Disease) and five escalated risks from service area risk registers. 

·         Pressure on Adult & Community Services (Escalated Risk, risk score increase from 16 to 20) COVID-19 has increased the pressure on the finances and long term sustainability of adult care and services are having to redesign themselves to accommodate the COVID-19 guidelines. These also have an impact on the perception and delivery of services.

·         Pressure on the delivery of Children Services (Escalated Risk, risk score increase from 16 to 20) COVID-19 has caused the increase in pressure in terms of the quantum of work and nature of the work alongside the impact on staff with the societal changes. Attempts to mitigate the risk are reliant on maintaining communication and minimising tasks which are likely to increase during the year.

·         Cyber Security (Escalated Risk, risk score increase from 12 to 16) in quarter 1 public sector bodies were notified of the increased threat level to the UK to gain access to data held by central and local government. This vulnerability has also increased due to the number of people working from home.  

·         Pressure on Homelessness Service (Escalated Risk, risk score increase from 12 to 16) The Welsh Government implemented new statutory legislation to support the homeless and rough sleepers into accommodation and provide support.  Welsh Government provided phase 1 funding to the Council and has recently received phase 2 funding to continue this support.

·         Pressure on Housing Service (Escalated Risk, risk score increase from 12 to 16 the delivery of the housing service has been impacted due to the implementation of the statutory legislation for homeless, rough sleepers and the most vulnerable. Furthermore, due to the vulnerable economic position and the furlough scheme ending in October, there could be more pressure to provide assistance for residents that may be at threat of redundancy and/or reduction in pay.

The Leader invited the Cabinet Members to comment:

Councillor Jeavons referred to Ash Die Back Disease (New Risk, Score 20)and confirmed a review by City Services of Council-owned trees identified approximately 8,600 Ash trees that had Ash Die Back or were at risk from it. The risk score reflects the high financial costs and urgency to remove the trees before they fall and cause damage.  It was noted that Newport has a lot more of these trees than other authorities.

Councillor Cockeram referred to the enormous pressure on social services especially with an ageing population.  Domiciliary care is also a concern with low wages and retention of staff.  Residential homes is another concern as, whilst Welsh Government is currently subsidising this sector at the moment, if these homes go into administration this will have an impact on services.  He also referred to the financial risk associated with spending on supported living when children become adults.  As well as financial pressures within Children’s services there is also pressure from Welsh Government for authorities to stop children coming into care.  All of these services are statutory duties.

Councillor Mayer reported that the biggest risk in his portfolio is the threat associated with Cyber security.

Councillor Davies referred to agile working and the perceived benefit is the massive impact on the reduction of our carbon footprint; work has to be done now to look at how this can be sustained.

Councillor Rahman mentioned work needed to be done on how the Council utilises its buildings in the future whilst still providing a gold standard of service to Newport’s residents.

The report also highlighted the change in direction of some risk scores which are referred to on page 73 of the agenda.

The Leader sought agreement from her Cabinet on the contents of the Quarter 1 Risk Report and to continue to monitor progress of actions taken to reduce the impact of the risks in the report.

Decision:

Cabinet voted and unanimously agreed the report and to continue to monitor progress of actions taken to reduce the impact of the risks in the report.