A presentation will be given at the meeting.
Minutes:
Steve Kenyon, Interim Executive Director of Resources and Regulation gave a presentation giving an overview of the Council’s approach to risk management.
It was explained that risk was anything that may affect the achievement of the Council’s priorities and objectives, the uncertainty that surrounds future events and outcomes, and the expression of likelihood and impact of an event with the potential to influence the achievement of Council’s objectives.
Risk management is a planned and systematic approach to the identification, measurement, analysis, assessment, control, reporting and subsequent monitoring of risks which threaten the Council and the services it provides.
Steve explained the importance of risk management :-
· Increases risk awareness
· Increases understanding of risk
· Promotes a healthy risk culture
· Develops a common and consistent approach to risk across the Council
· Improves outcomes – achievement of objectives
· Enables accountability, transparency and responsibility
· Ensures “Going Concern”
Performance gains were explained as being:-
· Lower risk related costs
· Better targeting of resources
· Better outcomes on corporate objectives
· Delivery of innovative projects
· Better outcome for service users
· Protection of reputation
Bury has a Risk Management Strategy which is reviewed on an annual basis.
There is a Corporate Risk Management Group, Operational Risk Management Group and Risk Champions across the authority whose role is to ensure that staff across all areas are aware of risks and how to report them.
The Risk Register is updated regularly and takes account of risks as they occur.
Risks are assessed on likelihood and impact and given a scale of 1 to 4 for each which when calculated gives a score between 1 and 16.
The Audit Committee receives an update of the Risk Register at each meeting and is asked to scrutinise each of the risks registered. The Committee is also asked to review information and reports on risks and ensure they are being managed and ensure the Internal Audit Plan is in line with risk priorities.
The three lines of defence are:
· Operational Management
Ø Risk Management
Ø Internal Policies and Procedures
Ø Internal Control
· Management overview
Ø Supervision and Review
Ø Performance Management Framework
Ø Reporting
· Independent Overview
Ø Internal and External Audit
Ø Audit Committee
Ø External Review – CQC, Ofsted
Future developments were reported as:-
· Develop risk assurance mapping
· Link Internal Audit Plan to Corporate Risks
· Develop a broader view of Partnership Risk
· Consider how devolution will effect Risk
Those present were given the opportunity to ask questions and comments and the following points were raised:
· Councillor Walker referred to the Operational Risk Management Group and asked whether there are representatives from Children, Young People and Culture and Communities and Wellbeing on the group as these are responsible for vulnerable people.
Steve explained that there are 2 representatives from each department on the group.
· Councillor Whitby asked at what level risks are owned as it seemed quite high level rather than on the ground.
Steve explained that all staff and Members are encouraged to record and manage their own risks.
· Councillor Walker asked whether all staff are trained on the issue.
Steve explained that risk management is included as part of the staff induction. There are also risk champions within departments whose role was to ensure that all staff are aware of risks and how to manage them.
It was agreed:
That Steve be thanked for the presentation.