Agenda item

Consideration was given to a report informing Members of the progress made by the Council in enhancing and embedding risk management for the period April to June, 2019.

Members were advised that there were no overdue risk reviews.  There had been 7  risk level increases and these were shown at numbers 1 and 2 of the appendix

There had been 22 new risks added.  The majority of these were low level.

Members’ attention was drawn to the risks outlined at Appendix A.

Councillor Stubbs asked where the three new medium/high risks had come from.

The Council’s Business Improvement Manager, Simon Sowerby that these had arisen from problems encountered at Castle House; failure of the air conditioning and an interruption of the power supply.  Members were advised that these issues were being monitored.

Councillor Stubbs asked if the County Council were putting things in place and whether the building was still under warranty.

The Council’s Interim Director of Resources and Support Services, Jan Willis explained that issues had been uncovered with power fluctuations and the harmonics of the building.  Investigations were being carried out to pinpoint the source and it was thought that the source had now been found.  The issues had been added to the risk register because of the time that had been taken to locate the source and engaging with the County Council to find a resolution.  It would be the responsibility of Kier and the sub-contractors to fix the problem.

Councillor Stubbs asked that when a resolution was found and fixed, -  that it be reported back to this Committee.  The Chair asked Mr Sowerby that he give an update at the next meeting.

Phil Butters raised concerns about risks staying at level 9 on a recurring basis and asked whether an assessment was needed as to how they were calculated.  Mr Butters asked if this could be reviewed in more detail at a future meeting.  

Mr Butters also referred to the risk relating to Newcastle Bus Station (number 1) in that it appeared to have been resolved. Mr Butters asked how a risk that had been realised was signalled.

The Chair stated that, in the past there had been more detail on how risks were calculated.  Mr Sowerby was asked to do a worked example for Members and to make the example a high risk or controversial one.

Councillor Pickup asked what the fire risk occurrences were, shown at number 7 of the appendix.   Mr Sowerby stated that these had possibly been down to aerosol cans or batteries at the Council Depot. He would check this.

Councillor Pickup also enquired about risk ‘16’ and the failure to replace key staff and what the current position was as the target date was October.

The Council’s Chief Executive, Martin Hamilton stated that the Council was in the midst of recruiting key staff at the moment.  The situation had been mitigated in the short term by bringing in interim members of staff.

Councillor Stubbs stated that he understood that the mitigation was required but this had been at a huge cost.

Resolved:     (i)         That point 2.1.1 showing the number of overdue risks be

noted.

(ii)       That point 2.2.1 advising of the risk level increases be noted.

(iii)      That point 2.2.2 regarding the new risks identified between April to June 2019 be noted.

(iv)      That it be noted that there were no issues outstanding from the previous meeting.

(v)       That it be noted that the updated Risk Management Strategy and Policy have been uploaded to the website and intranet.

(vi)      That it be noted that an upgraded web based version of the corporate risk management system (GRACE) has been implemented.

(vii)      That Appendix A be noted  and the progress that has

been made in managing the risks identified within the Strategic, Operational, Project and Partnership Risk Registers, be noted.