Issue - meetings

To receive a report from the Corporate Performance and Improvement Manager and the Corporate Manager for People, Performance & Waste updating the Council’s Risk Management Policy for the 2025/26 financial year.

The Committee had before it a report * from the Corporate Performance and Improvement Manager and the Corporate Manager for People, Performance & Waste presenting the updated Risk Management Policy for the 2025/26 financial year.

The contents of the report were outlined with particular reference to the following:

·       This report presented the Risk Management Policy which was reviewed annually by officers before being considered by this Committee for approval.

·       The Risk Management Policy was thoroughly reviewed in March 2023. As part of that review, the risk management process was revised, with detailed guidance provided at each stage. The Policy was then reviewed in 2024 with a number of small changes.

·       The Policy and associated processes had become embedded and were working well. Therefore only a small number of changes were suggested to the Policy this year. These changes were highlighted in red text in Appendix 1. 

·       To further strengthen the Council's approach to risk management, the Council had provided in-house training. This would now be made mandatory for staff with senior responsibilities. 

·       In addition an internal audit on the Council's approach to Risk Management had begun and the results of this audit would be reported back to this Committee in due course.

The Chair thanked the Corporate Performance and Improvement Manager for all his work in reviewing and embedding this Policy within the Council.

RESOLVED that the updated Risk Management Policy be approved.

(Proposed by Cllr D Broom and seconded by Cllr E Buczkowski)

Reason for the decision

Failure to take advantage of opportunities and mitigate risks could impact on the Council’s ability to deliver its strategic objectives. Assessment of  the effectiveness of the framework for identifying and managing risks and for performance and demonstrating clear accountability is a key element of the Council’s governance arrangements.

Note: * Report previously circulated.