Agenda item - Strategic Risk Focus: SR13, SR20, SR32 and SR33

Report of the Executive Lead Officer for Strategy, Governance & Law.

That the Audit & Standards Committee:

1)       Note in paragraphs 3.3 the changes to the council’s SRR as agreed at ELT on 14 August 2019.

2)       Note Appendix 1 for details of SR13, SR20, SR33 and SR32.

3)       Note Appendix 2 ‘Information on the council’s risk management process relative to Strategic Risks (SRs); and Suggested questions for Members to ask Risk Owners and officers on Strategic Risks’.

4)       Having considered Appendix 1 and any clarification and/or comments from the officers, the Committee makes

24.1      The committee received an introduction to the report from Jackie Algar which provided the Committee with details of any changes to the council’s Strategic Risk Register (SRR) last reviewed by the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) on 14 August 2019.

24.2      Councillor Pete West was expressed concerns that the SR36 was rated as 5 (Almost Certain - likelihood) x 4 (Major) and not 5 x 5 (Catastrophic impact). The Chair expressed the same concerns.

24.3      Dave Kuenssberg felt more detail would be appreciated by the Members and Officers could do a ‘deep dive’.

24.4      Councillor Alan Robins felt that under SR15 Children should be rated with an impact of 5 (Catastrophic) and no less.

24.5      The Committee were informed that regular audits are held. Training is critical to staff understanding and ability to implement safeguarding for adults and children.

24.6      Councillor Siriol Hugh-Jones was informed by Robert Persey that the fewer precautions were in place for adults than for children. Adult support is usually based care in the home or in a Care home. It was noted that due diligence would be carried out for whoever was being transported and any neglect would be reviewed with the provider. It was also noted that vulnerable adults require services to the same level as children. The committee were informed that workshops are to be set up for Members regarding safeguarding.

24.7      The committee were informed that under SR20 the risks were challenging with a fast-moving situation in the NHS. The front-line operations are good. The financial repercussions are a challenge. The Health and Wellbeing Board will review the situation.

24.8      Dr Horne confirmed that the Winter Plan has been agreed and the risk management was better than perceived. It was noted that the key risks have been agreed to filter through NHS with the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG). This is considered better collaboration for the future.

24.9      Robert Persey Director HASC informed the Members that SR33 ‘Not providing adequate housing and support for people with significant and complex needs’ involved challenges when residential care units can institutionalise residents. It was noted that this challenge and was being worked on by BHCC to achieve understanding and resolution. It was also noted that meetings are being held at BHCC to give more holistic view.

24.10   Councillor Siriol Hugh-Jones was informed that a report regarding the assessment of older people’s accommodation would be presented at the November 2019 meeting.

24.11   Councillor Garry Peltzer-Dunn was informed that the joint homeless and rough sleepers’ strategy will continue to be developed to ensure the right services are ready to meet needs. An update is scheduled for January 2020.

24.12   The Committee were informed that with regard to SR32 the fatality of an employee at a school was being investigated. It was noted that the Health & Safety Executive recommendations following a visit to City Clean was an improvement notice was still awaited from H&SE to generate increased resource to develop and action plan and revised risk assessment process. The Members were also informed that the insurance liability was under review.

24.13   Councillor Carmen Appich was informed by Dave Kuenssberg that the wellbeing steering group was linked to the Wellbeing Board and covers different service areas all working together. With reference to Grenfell Tower, the Councillor Appich was informed by Mike Meik that the need for sprinklers in high rise blocks was seen as urgent. It was noted that resident groups have been active on this point and have requested new systems. New builds have new to standard sprinklers. The fitting of new systems to older buildings is very challenging. The issue of noise for manual staff is being reviewed and noted that this is not just a construction issue.

24.14   Councillor Siriol Hugh-Jones was informed that the replacement of fire doors was an issue. Doors across the city have been looked at. The industry standards have not been agreed since Grenfell, however replacing will need to take place.

24.15   Councillor Pete West was assured that although the dense workloads of staff the risk actions do not increase. Health and Safety is a priority across the city. With reference to the school incident all the H&S practices have bene reviewed. The Members were assured that the culture of safety was taken very seriously, and the risk was balances against resource. It was noted that managers were not liable, the authority carried the legal risk. Individuals can be prosecuted if considered negligible. In the case of the school no case law is available at the present, the Council, the governors or both may be prosecuted.

24.16    Councillor Garry Peltzer-Dunn was informed by Mark Meik that fire doors installed in Council properties were compliant at time of fitting. It was noted that a risk review was carried out and the doors are deemed to have a low risk of failing. Liability is a legal minefield at this time, but the doors will be replaced, and the safety is at the core of replacing and installing sprinklers.

24.17   Resolved: That the Audit & Standards Committee:

1)            Note in paragraphs 3.3 the changes to the council’s SRR as agreed at ELT on 14 August 2019.

2)            Note Appendix 1 for details of SR13, SR20, SR33 and SR32.

3)            Note Appendix 2 ‘Information on the council’s risk management process relative to Strategic Risks (SRs); and Suggested questions for Members to ask Risk Owners and officers on Strategic Risks’.

4)            Having considered Appendix 1 and any clarification and/or comments from the officers, the Committee makes any recommendations it considers appropriate to the relevant Council body.