Agenda item

Risk Register is  attached.

Deep Dives reports:

Regeneration & Development (CR15)

SEND (CR16)

Financial Sustainability (CR1)

The Executive Director of Finance submitted a report providing an updated position with regards to the risks identified and assessed on the Council’s Corporate Risk Register. These risks have been considered by the Executive Team as those with the potential to disrupt the Council’s strategic objectives and service delivery.

A total of 22 risks have been identified as those of a genuine corporate nature and are summarised as follows:

· 22 risks are currently present on the Corporate Risk Register

· 16 risks are currently rated as Significant (risk score 15-25)

· 6 risks are currently rated as High (risk score 8-12)

· 0 risks are currently rated as Moderate (risk score 4-6).

Of these 22 risks:

·   1 has increased in score

·   0 have decreased in score

·   20 have remained static 

·   1 has been newly introduced

Following a decision at the last meeting of the Audit Committee, Members asked for a further information in respect of the following areas of concern:

CR1 -  Financial Sustainability

CR16 - SEND

CR15 - BGI – 3 major regeneration projects

Officers from each of those service areas attended the meeting and provided an update on work undertaken to mitigate risk, in addition, accompanying reports were circulated to Members ahead of the meeting and included key potential impacts and how those impacts were being controlled. Member’s present in considering the following points and issues were raised:

CR15 - Regeneration & Development

In response to questions raised around timescales for levelling up projects, and the fixed timescales involved the Director of BGI explained that visits from the Department from Levelling Up  have highlighted confidence in the ability to deliver.

In response to a question concerning the Prestwich Village Scheme it was explained that although it was still in the early stages tremendous progress had been made. The Council would be investing in the scheme and the use of partners such as Homes England and the GMCA to make it work and share expertise.

In response to concerns about increasing construction costs, the Director of BGI explained that although projects have become more difficult the Council were not dealing with the unknown. The schemes were both new builds and were therefore a lower risk profile.

Members discussed the need to ensure that the right market and skills set were identified in relation to the Atom Valley (Northern Gateway) site for employment development within the Places for Everyone Joint Plan. Paul explained that the discussions were ongoing with the GMCA and the Councils and other partners invested in the scheme to ensure that the site would be a key driver in achieving a more balanced Greater Manchester economy by significantly boosting the competitiveness of the northern districts and in delivering the aspirations.

It was also explained that the Leader of the Council is the portfolio holder for Technical Education and Skills for the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.

In response to Members’ comments regarding HS2, Paul explained that he felt there would be little impact on the development of the scheme following the recent news regarding the future of HS2.

CR16 SEND

The Director of Education and Skills provided Members with an overview of the issues of concern in relation to this risk.

Councillor McBriar referred to the increase in complaints of 400% and asked that the figures in relation to this were shared as this will show the true figures rather a percentage based on what could be low numbers. It was also asked for monthly figures to be provided in relation to complaints received.

In relation to a question raised with regard to the 1001 pathway, Isobel explained that 1001 related to the first 1001 days in a child’s life  and the requirement to ensure that needs are identified earlier and that the families’ needs are being met. There had been an increase in the number of children starting school who were non-verbal which highlighted the requirement to ensure that the 6 month health visit and the 2 year health visits happened.

A question was raised in relation to the initiatives that were included in the information provided and it was asked which initiative was most important. Isobel explained that the Council needs to ensure that is has a SEND provision that it can be proud of. There are already 2 outstanding special schools in the borough that have received positive feedback from Ofsted and this provision needs to be maintained alongside graduated support being met in mainstream provision.

CR1 FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY

The Executive Director of Finance attended to provide members with an overview of the concerns in relation to the risk.

Councillor McBriar referred to the risk remaining at the highest level and asked when it would begin to drop.

Sam Evans explained that when the council finances were in a balanced position the risks could be reduced.

In response to a question about staff pay rise and the percentages involved it was reported that each 1% equated to circa £1m. During budget setting, 7% had been allocated.

In response to a query in relation to council reserves it was reported that the £22m in the general fund had reduced to £15m. A departmental ‘sweeping up’ of reserves was ongoing and the transformation reserves had identified £6m for DSG.

It was agreed:

That the information provided be noted and those that had attended to report be thanked.

That, at its next meeting on 14 December 2023, the Audit Committee would carry out deep dives on the following risks:-

CR19 – Financial Capacity

CR20 – Increase in energy prices.