Issue - meetings

Recommendations of Cabinet in respect of Risk Management.

These are ‘to follow’ and will be circulated in advance of the meeting.

Consideration was given to the recommendations of the Cabinet in respect of the risk management process and the Strategic Risk Register.

Due regard had been given to the views of the Audit Committee, the financial and value for money considerations and on the grounds that the identification, evaluation and cost-effective control of risks was essential in safeguarding the Borough Council’s assets, employees, customers and the delivery of services to the Council community, Cllr Boughton proposed, Cllr Keers seconded and Council

RESOLVED: That the Risk Management Strategy and accompanying Risk Management Guidance be adopted.

Recommendations of the Audit Committee in respect of Risk Management.

These are ‘to follow’ and will be circulated in advance of the meeting.

Consideration was given to the recommendations of the Audit Committee in respect of the risk management process and the Strategic Risk Register.

Due regard was given to the views of the Committee and Cabinet welcomed the work being undertaken within the Borough Council to champion risk management.

Attention was drawn to the 3 areas of risk categorised as RED as summarised below:

·       Achievement of Savings and Transformation Strategy

·       Failure to agree a Local Plan

·       Managed exit from the Agile system

On the grounds that the identification, evaluation and cost-effective control of risks was essential in safeguarding the Borough Council’s assets, employees,  customers and the delivery of services to the local community, Cabinet

*RECOMMENDED:  That

(1)            the updates to the Strategic Risk Register since the last iteration with particular emphasis on those risks categorised as RED as shown in Annex 1 and 1a (and summarised above) be noted;

(2)            the service risks identified in Annex 2 be noted; and

(3)            the Risk Management Strategy and accompanying Risk Management Guidance be reviewed and adopted by Full Council.

*Recommended to Council

The report provides an update on the risk management process and the Strategic Risk Register.  An update is also provided in respect of the work being undertaken within the Council to champion risk management.

The report of Management Team provided an update on the risk management process and the Strategic Risk Register (SRR).  An update in respect of the work being undertaken within the Council to champion risk management was also provided. 

In July 2025, there were 3 risks categorised as RED as summarised below and these remained RED.

·       Achievement of Savings and Transformation Strategy

·       Failure to agree a Local Plan

·       Managed exit from the Agile System

Reference was made to the risk in respect of ‘Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation’, which remained as AMBER at this stage, although it was recognised that the ongoing risk assessment would be informed by the work underway regarding the submissions from the Kent authorities with the assistance of an appointed strategic partner.

A schedule of ongoing risks and risks identified by Service Management Teams and Management Team since the last report to the Committee in July 2025 was attached at Annex 2 to the report. 

As part of the arrangements in place to ensure risk management maintained a high profile within the Council, the Risk Management Strategy (attached at Annex 3) and accompanying guidance (attached at Annex 4) were subject to annual review.  Following changes to the guidance and consideration by the Risk Champions Group, a new format of the risk matrix was proposed and attached at Annex 5, and if approved by Council would be used for reporting from January 2026.

During discussion, Members challenged the AMBER risk rating for ‘Carbon Neutral 2030 Aspiration’ despite various works having been carried out and the success of grant applications, however it was likely that the risk would remain AMBER due to a reduction in future grant funding.

RECOMMENDED*:  That

(1)        the updates to the Strategy Risk Register since the last iteration with particular emphasis on those risks categorised as RED as shown in Annexes 1 and 1a, be noted;

(2)        the service risks identified in Annex 2, be noted; and

(3)        the Risk Management Strategy and accompanying Risk Management Guidance, subject to any amendments required, be reviewed and adopted by Full Council. 

*Recommended to Cabinet