Issue - meetings

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive attached.

The Shared Services Lead – Transformation and Partnerships, Vicky Willet,  presented a report of the Deputy Chief Executive detailing an updated Corporate Risk Register 2021 which included 16 strategic risks to the Council, including existing controls and actions planned to further mitigate identified risks.

Members raised queries and made comments in relation to R08 Strategic Partnerships (particularly City Deal), R09 Agile Services (consideration post COVID 19), R10  Council’s reputation, R11 Shared Services Agreements, R12 Staff Satisfaction and morale (particularly the impact of the current pandemic, homeworking and Shared Services), and R15 Data breach or action leading to complaints or ICO investigation.

Regarding staff satisfaction and morale, Ms Willet highlighted that the result of the latest survey of staff satisfaction was 78%, following work to address the issue of staff wellbeing over the last six months and this would be progressed further this year especially in light of the current pandemic. She also indicated that the Register was a ‘live’ document regularly reviewed by the leadership team and senior management. The next report to Committee was due after the end of the financial year. A full review and report is submitted to Committee biannually but this could be more often at the request of members. The Chief Executive also stressed that the leadership team continue to actively engage with staff and unions with regard to shared services.

With regard to Agile services and Council reputation, this relates to the ability of the Council to adapt to changing circumstances and thus impacting on customer satisfaction and effectiveness in engaging with residents. They are identified as risks to the Council if not managed effectively.

In relation to Strategic Partnerships, particularly the City Deal, the Chief Executive explained that the residual risk score has resulted in ‘green’ on the Action plan due the fact that the Council has mitigated the risk as well as it can in that the Council has made its position clear i.e. that it will stick to the existing financial deal.

In relation to R15 Data breach or action leading to complaints or ICO investigation, the Chief Executive explained that the risk relates to specific third party access to our systems and how the Council is looking to better share its intelligence e.g. with health partners and how the associated risks will be mitigated.

RESOLVED – (unanimously):

That the strategic risks, the controls in place and actions planned to further mitigate the strategic risks as outlined in appendix 1 to the report, be noted.