Agenda item

The Leader presented the report, which was an update of the Council’s Corporate Risk Register for the end of Quarter Four (31 March 2021).

Members were asked to consider the contents of the report and note the changes to the Council’s Corporate Risks.

The Council’s Risk Management Policy and Corporate Risk Register enabled this 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 undertake its statutory duties as a local authority.

The Quarter four risk report was also presented to the Council’s Governance and Audit Committee on 27 May to review the Council’s risk management process and governance arrangements.

At the end of quarter four, the Council had 46 risks recorded across the Council’s eight service areas.

Those risks that were deemed to pose the most significant risk in the delivery of the Council’s Corporate Plan and services were escalated to the Council’s Corporate Risk Register for monitoring. 

At the end of quarter four, 18 risks were recorded in the Corporate Risk Register.

§  Eleven Severe Risks (15 to 25);

§  Four Major Risks (7 to 14);

§  Two Moderate Risks (4 to 6); and

§  One Low Risk (1 to 3).

In quarter four, the Corporate Risk Register had also seen two risk scores increase, three decrease and 13 risks remain at the same score in quarter three.

Brexit related issues and mitigating actions were reported monthly to Cabinet currently. 

The risk score reduced from 12 to 18, as the Council’s services had not identified direct impacts since the trade agreement was in place on its suppliers and finances. 

However, as is reported also in the Brexit report, EU Settled Status remained an area of concern for the City’s communities due to the 30 June deadline. 

There was uncertainty over the numbers of EU nationals that might have missed the deadline to apply to the scheme and/or unsuccessful in their application. 

This could have an impact on Council as residents may not be able to access public services and additional support may be required. 

In Year Financial Management decreased from six to three, due to the Council’s anticipated outturn for the last financial year, which indicated a significant surplus position.

This risk would be monitored closely in quarters one and two to see if there were any emerging areas of concern / pressures as the city eases out of the restrictions.

The risk score for the Covid-19 Pandemic Outbreak decreased from 25 to 20 due to the successful roll out of the vaccination programme and easing of lock down restrictions which made it possible to reopen services such as face to face contact.

Front line Council services continued to operate normally. However, there remained small clusters across the community, which were being managed through the Test Trace and Protect teams.

The Council's Covid Recovery Group (Gold) continued to regularly meet and monitor the situation. Monthly Cabinet reports continued to be presented, providing an overview of the Council's Covid response.

Newport Council’s Property Estate risk score increased from 12 to 16 to reflect the recent issues identified with St Andrew’s Junior School in Q4 of 2020/21. 

However, the risk was currently being mitigated and managed utilising the Capital Maintenance Programme as well as regular monitoring. 

The Council alongside Newport Norse (continued to undertake condition surveys across the remainder of the estate and these surveys were used to inform the allocation and priority of capital spend.

The Council continued to work closely with other service areas, including Education to identify and secure all available sources of funding, including Welsh Government funding, for ongoing maintenance and improvements especially identifying ways of making our operational estates more energy efficient to help reach the authority’s priority to be Carbon Neutral by 2030.

The risk score for Education out of area placements has increased from nine to 12 due to the increase in the number of children and young people with complex needs that required additional support.

The Council’s special schools (Maes Ebbw and Ysgol Bryn Derw) were full, which increased the risk of Out of County placements being required.  

Through the commissioning of local providers such as Newport Live, Catch 22 and Sporting Chance, the Council was able to access local specialist provisions, which reduced the need for specialist out of County provisions.

Extension options were also being considered to ensure there were more spaces available for pupils with complex needs. Mastodon C had also been commissioned to create data projections for future specialist provision needs.

The Leader thanked the Chief Education Officer for her presentation and invited questions from Cabinet.

Cabinet Member Comments:

Councillor Cockeram raised the issue of concern relating to raising of funding due to the impact of Covid. Secondly, with regard to education, the behaviour of children returning to school was recently debated at the Regional Partnership Board.  A bid would be submitted to Welsh Government for funding to provide counselling and understanding the effects and that the impact of the pandemic had on children.

Councillor Mayer made reference to the recent Prime Minister’s announcement regarding the Australian deal to import food and encouraged Newport residents to buy locally.

Councillor Rahman referred to the Council’s property, echoing the Leader’s comments in relation to St Andrew’s Junior School and advised Cabinet that the risk was being mitigated with regular monitoring of estates within Newport, considered a priority for capital spend.  In addition, these estates would be made more energy efficient for residents, this would include the proposed new leisure centre.

Councillor Jeavons mentioned that the felling of trees due to Ash die back disease was being carried out purely under safety guidance to protect residents and that Newport City Council were re-planting two trees for every one felled and reiterated that the worked carried out was to stop the airborne disease in its tracks.

Decision:

Cabinet noted the contents of the quarter three update of the Corporate Risk Register.