Agenda item - Strategic Risk Focus: SR2, SR20 and SR37

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.  

7.1         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.

7.2         In response to a question from Councillor Meadows, it was confirmed that there was additional funding put into contract management in the 2020/21 budget however, due to the pandemic and complications in allocating the funding that was predicated on making savings, this allocation was moved to the 2021/22 budget. Further, the forecast underspend would not mean that funding would be required to be returned to central government as the funding had been allocated correctly.

SR2- The Council is not financially viable

7.3         In response to a questions from Councillor Hugh-Jones, it was confirmed that the 2020 Spending Review covered one year and whilst it was hoped that the 2021 Spending Review would be multi-year, that was currently unclear. On unachieved savings, these will have either been replaced with mitigating savings or a plan would be in place to achieve those savings if they were still believed achievable. Further, discharged to assess funding applied to the first six weeks of care for the relevant individual and it was expected that would be reduced I the autumn to four weeks. The intending outcome of the scheme was ensuring people were discharged on their onward care to an appropriate setting and evidence suggested that target was being met.

SR20- Failure to achieve Health and Social Care outcomes due to organisational and resource pressures on the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and Brighton & Hove City Council (BHCC);

7.4         In response to questions from Councillor Hugh-Jones, it was explained that officers were comfortable on the effective of the controls on place due to the good engagement on governance arrangements and there was good ongoing collaboration between agencies. In relation to the radical changes to health and social care integration, the issue would be in undertaken challenging circumstances however, there was unprecedented appetite and opportunity for integration and a greater focus and appreciate of the role of social care. In addition, central government had made a very clear commitment to a long-term solution for adult social care and the details of that was expected before the end of the year.

SR37- Not effectively responding to and recovering from COVID-19 in Brighton and Hove including building resilience for future pandemics.

7.5         In reply to a question from Councillor Hugh-Jones, it was clarified that a new agency had been tasked with the national approach to future pandemics but was not yet established.

7.6         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.