Agenda item

The Committee received presentation from the Group Manger, Construction, Compliance & Resilience on the progress of the Risk Management, Business Continuity and Risk Register.  It was important to note that the Risk Register was currently being updated in conjunction with Corporate Management Team (CMT) and the Strategic Improvement Team and that a report on the current risks was anticipated to be available in December 2012 and to Audit Committee in February 2013.

The key points within the report included:

• CMT workshop in November 2012 to review the Corporate Strategic Risk Register;
• Separate policies produced for both Business Continuity (BCM) and Risk Management (RM);
• Revised self assessment scores and new starter scores for strategic and project risks;
• Operation risk assessment process had assisted the review and update of Business Continuity Plans (BCP);
• Completion of an operational risk profile;
• Revision of Service and Corporate BC plans;
• Review of Strategic (corporate) risk register;
• Co-ordination of Strategic and Departmental Risk Registers;
• Regular risk “conversations” within and between services at all levels;
• Updates on Insite, web and E-Learning;
• Strategic issues such as introducing and embedding RM/BCM into procurement; and

·      Processes, induction briefings and business plans.

Comments and responses to questions were as follows:

• In clarification sought over the training offered to Members, the Committee were advised that it was intended to roll out training to all PCC Councillors. Members commented that consideration should be given to deliver RM training to Members at an All Party Policy meeting for early 2013;
• Members commented that the RM policy had been produced to a clear and high standard;

·         The Group Manager Construction, Compliance and Resilience advised Members that the lead Member for Risk Management was Councillor Seaton;

·         The Group Manager Construction, Compliance and Resilience advised Members that BC owners were the risk champions;

·         Members commented that it was good to see the introduction of training for risk management for Councillors and that consideration should be given to include a section within reports on how the RM policy had been applied.

·         The Group Manager Construction, Compliance and Resilience advised Members that quarterly RM reports on high level projects was supplied to CMT on a regular basis; and

·         Following clarification sought by Members over the reference of the Cabinet Member recommendation within the covering report, it was advised that the information was provided in error and that it should state that the recommendation was for the Audit Committee to consider.

ACTION AGREED:

The Committee:

1. Considered the revised Risk Management and Business Continuity Strategies; and
2. Approved the delivery of a relevant training and awareness programme to all Members, which would include both induction and ongoing training.

The Committee Further Agreed:

·         That the Group Manager Construction, Compliance and Resilience, would include Members of the Audit Committee in the distribution of the quarterly Risk Management reports following agreement with CMT;

·         A further update would be provided at the February 2013 meeting on the Strategic Risk Register; and

·         That CMT was to confirm to Audit Committee, which Executive Director had been delegated the appropriate seniority and authority to be accountable for the BCM policy and its implementation.