Agenda item

Corporate Risk Report

Minutes:

Aimee Jackson, Risk and Insurance Manager, introduced this report and made the following points:

 

·  This report represents the Council’s position in risk management by the end of May 2024. These risks were assessed by the Corporate Management Team and Councillor Yates;

·  The risk score for Berths 4 and 5 is now dropping down to a risk rating of 9 and will be removed from the report for the next meeting;

·  There are two new risks that are now on the report which are Groundwater Assessments and Manston Airport;

 

Committee discussion raised the following points:

 

·  Councillors asked about the Groundwater Assessments item on the register and what it detailed. Officers informed Councillors that this is related to the risk of aquafer from burial grounds and that new surveys are going to be carried out for it;

·  Councillors asked officers why Manston Airport scored 12 on the risk matrix. Officers told Councillors that they will look into this in more detail and inform the Councillors outside the meeting, however they did inform the Councillors that air quality was one of the elements being looked at

·  Officers expanded upon Berths 4 and 5 and said that the risk for this was in regards to finance and overspend. The overspend however has been reduced to £250,000 to £500,000;

·  Officers informed the Councillors that when these scored are decided, officers look at the worst case scenario on how they affect the Council as a whole as well as looking at what mitigations are in place to prevent that from happening;

·  Councillors asked about scenic proposals that were detailed to the Councillors at a Councillor’s Briefing and whether or not that would appear in the risk matrix. Officers replied that due to the size of the scheme, that environmental impact would have to be addressed and that there will be an environmental statement detailing what mitigations would be in place;

·  Councillors went on to inform officers regarding the analysis of the risk matrix and how some high level risks were not the same as others. For example, the Manston Airport risk being scored the same as Cyber Security, despite Cyber Security being a much more direct risk to the Council. Officers agreed with the Councillors’ point, however Councillors were informed that this matrix works on a 4x4 scoring system as opposed to a 5x5 system and that it can be different in other authorities, including some that use a 3x3 system. Officers were happy to look at the scoring system to rework the strategy, however timing was a factor as well as providing the correct resources;

·  Councillors requested that Under Insurance be looked at as a future risk as other authorities have had issues maintaining their existing assets which can lead to other risks such as fire safety and financial issues in the future. An example was provided of the flat tower blocks that the Council manages and the recent works being carried out. Officers agreed with Councillors citing the problems that could arise around maintaining the properties which including programmes not being carried out correctly, or incorrectly valued. It was highlighted that the key to this item would be maintaining the assets that the Council has in order to bring down insurance premiums and ensure that they would be covered;

 

Councillor Davis proposed, Councillor Britcher seconded and Councillors agreed:

 

To approve the review of the corporate risks and annexed risks.

Supporting documents: