Agenda item - Strategic Risk Focus Report;SR13; SR33; SR15; SR38; SR24; and SR29

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

That the Audit & Standards Committee:

1)             Note the SRR detailed within Table 1 of this report.

2)             Note Appendix 1 the CAMMS Risk report with details of the SRs and actions taken (‘Existing Controls’) and actions planned.

3)             Note Appendix 2 which provides:

                        i.         a guide on the risk management process;

                       ii.         guidance on how Members might want to ask questions of Risk Owners, or officers connected to the strategic risks; and

                      iii.         details of opportunities for Members, or any staff, to raise issues on Strategic Risks at various points and levels.  

52.1      The Committee considered a report of the Executive Lead Officer, Strategy, Governance & Law that provided detail on the actions taken and future actions to manage each strategic risk.

52.2      In response to a question from Councillor Hugh Jones, the Chief Executive confirmed that the current strategic risk for the current pandemic could be developed to apply to planning for future pandemics and further, any potential C-19 variants.

52.3      In response to questions from Councillor Moonan, the Executive Director Health & Adult Social Care explained that the newly established Safeguarding Adults Board was working effectively, and partners were engaging well. With reference to the Better Care Fund, it was now clear the Fund would be a permanent arrangement and a report was likely to be submitted to the June meeting of the Health & Wellbeing Board providing Members with an update.

SR24 In the context of Covid-19 the needs and demands for services arising from the changing and evolving landscape of welfare reform is not effectively supported by the council

SR29 Ineffective contract performance management leads to sub-optimal service outcomes, financial irregularity and losses, and reputational damage.

52.4      In response to a question from Councillor Hugh-Jones, the Acting Chief Finance Officer stated that the additional resource invested in procurement would mitigate a lot of the concerns regarding contract management and could well negate the need for a new business case. The Acting Chief Finance Officer noted that the contracts referred to in the report were targeted and examined precisely because there were existing concerns about them and was not an accurate portrayal of the council’s overall contract procurement and management. The Acting Chief Finance Officer added that a new training package for contract managers was coming forward and would embed good contract management across the council.

52.5      In response to a question from Councillor Littman, the Head of Procurement clarified that social value was an important part of procurement process and that had been boosted by recent changes in national policy by central government.

52.6      In response to a question from Councillor Moonan, the Head of Procurement explained that contract included waivers as they were an attractive element of the procurement process. The waiver process was extremely strict and there were several steps for obtaining authorisation to apply a waiver, including legal advice.

SR25 Insufficient organisational capacity or resources to deliver all services as before and respond to changing needs and changing circumstances.

52.7      In response to a question from Councillor Hugh-Jones, the Chief Executive explained that the Council’s governance position of one as No Overall Control ensured there was wide spot checking and scrutiny by Members of internal processes and those checks were very informative for officers when developing policy and procedures and when those issues were presented to committee.

SR15 Not keeping children safe from harm and abuse

52.8      In response to a question from Councillor Hugh-Jones, the Executive Director Families Children & Learning confirmed that Early Years Coaches were now based in Children’s Centres.

SR38 Difficulty in restoring trust and confidence in the home to school transport service and sourcing sufficient capacity to resolve issues raised by the independent review

52.9      In response to a question from Councillor Hugh-Jones, the Executive Director Families Children & Learning answered that there had been some difficulty recruiting a Head of Service for the Home to School Transport Service but the position continued to be filled on an interim basis. The Executive Director Families Children & Learning added that the other vacancies in the service had been filled and the corporate risk was reducing and could be removed from the Strategic Risk Register by the end of the year if progress continued.

SR13 Not keeping vulnerable adults safe from harm and abuse

52.10   Councillor Hugh-Jones requested that output results be included in future Risk reports.

SR33 Not providing adequate accommodation and support for people with significant and complex needs

52.11   In response to a question from Councillor Moonan in relation to private sector housing provision to rough sleepers during the pandemic, the Chief Executive replied that central government had provided the funding to facilitate that arrangement. There would be a challenge to the service if that arrangement was cancelled quickly and negating the risks in that scenario was the key focus currently.

52.12   RESOLVED- That the Audit & Standards Committee:

1)             Note the SRR detailed within Table 1 of this report.

2)             Note Appendix 1 the CAMMS Risk report with details of the SRs and actions taken (‘Existing Controls’) and actions planned.

3)             Note Appendix 2 which provides:

                        i.         a guide on the risk management process;

                       ii.         guidance on how Members might want to ask questions of Risk Owners, or officers connected to the strategic risks; and

                      iii.         details of opportunities for Members, or any staff, to raise issues on Strategic Risks at various points and levels.