Issue - meetings

To consider the Annual Risk Management Report 2021/22.

The Head of Audit and Risk presented the report to the Committee, it covered the Quarter four position on the Strategic Risk Register along with the full year view of the Register.

The Annual Review as part of the Risk Management Update highlighted the impact of Covid, and the prioritisation of risk management activity directed towards the pandemic.

2022/23 service risk registers were being refreshed and provided the opportunity to ensure escalation of risk was working effectively.

The Committee asked questions about:

• the increase in reserves that related to Council Funding and associated risks.  Alex Thompson, Director of Finance & Customer Services and Section 151 Officer noted that there was no financial settlement at the start of the period and there were risks that had to be managed through the consultation period for the Medium Turn Financial Strategy (MTFS).  There was now a three-year financial settlement that had enabled to Council to balance the budget.  The risk would never reduce to zero, however the position changed in the final two quarters of the year in a positive way; and
• Potential risks associated with recruitment and retention of staff.  The Executive Director of Corporate Services noted that whilst the risk towards organisational capacity and demand within the report was focused toward the issues within Children’s Services, there were issues across the Council with capacity and demand.
• There was some discussion about a national issue or staff being poached across borders particularly in the Social Care sector.

RESOLVED:

That the Annual Risk Management Report 2021/22 be received and noted.