The Interim Insurance & Risk Manager presented the report which was brought before the Committee bi-annually providing details of how key risks and opportunities faced by the Council were identified and managed.

Councillor Gerrish referred to Risk 14 – Sickness Absence.  This was ranked as substantial / very likely and Councillor Gerrish asked whether it created a major hole within the Council’s budget.  The Director of Finance and IT assured Members that there were only fairly modest savings to be made.  Within his directorate there had been a considerable reduction in the number of frequent, short-term absences but there had been a number of longer-term absences following surgeries.  While these were different concerns it was deemed to be the less harmful option.

Councillor Gerrish asked what plans were in place to get back on track for the issue in a broader sense.  The Interim Insurance & Risk Manager referred to P91-92 of the agenda which outlined the management action in place. 

Mr Oliver noted that only one risk was expected to reduce and asked whether the Executive Team was placing enough emphasis on managing risk.  The Director of Finance & IT outlined that in certain areas, such as the number of cases within Adults or Children’s Social Care, there was very little the Council could do.   These risk factors were recognised, and the Authority would do what it could however it was very possible that the situation would not improve.  Therefore the Executive Team had opted to focus more on those high-risk areas in which it had more control, to facilitate a positive change.

The Chair highlighted that there was no risk category within the report around Industrial Action and asked whether this could be looked at.  The Committee heard that there were a whole range of business risks and while Industrial Action was a potential risk it was not flagged as a corporate and strategic priority.  There were prompts to highlight potential issues facing the Council and if any of these became apparent they would be considered under the regular review process.  For example, the register had been completed prior to the tragic events at Grenfell Tower.  Fire risk within Council tower blocks had been on the risk-radar but following events would be reviewed and prioritised in response.

The Vice-Chair queried how such a risk would be categorised within the report.  The Committee was advised that would fall into the category of Fire and Fire Safety – high-rise.  Judgements would be made around types of cladding, building regulations and building controls, if necessary.  The Vice-Chair raised the matter of the ongoing humanitarian issues alongside fire safety and was advised that these issues would factor in the management response arrangements for the risks and would be picked up through business continuity and emergency planning and response arrangements, which were regularly reviewed. 

Councillor Duffin queried P74 around strategic opportunities.  He noted that Gloriana had consistently been rated at 9, however the forecast rating was 12 and asked officers to explain the leap.  The Committee heard that, with regards to opportunity, the Council hopes to push ratings upward and there was work within the Action Plan around the St Chad’s site and Belmont Road.  There had been issues with the very first site, from which the department had learnt.  The Director of Finance & IT added that the site had been difficult to dispose of but now there were 128 design award-winning dwellings on site providing revenue returns and an expected capital receipt.  Members were assured that the Strategic / Corporate Risk & Opportunity Register was a living document; at the next assessment it would be possible to note Members’ concerns and adjust the forecast if necessary.

With regard to the ICT Disaster Recovery risk Councillor Collins asked when the provision for 100 concurrent users to be facilitated at Southend would be available.  Members were assured that the provision was already in place and the actual figure was closer to 200.  User spaces would be allocated to essential users such as staff within Children’s and Adults’ Social Care at first.

Councillor Collins referred to Risk 19 regarding incidents of civil disorder, which had a rating of 12, and asked whether there were any incidents recorded.  The Director of Finance & IT advised that there were none to his knowledge.

Councillor Collins also queried the risk of Child Sexual Exploitation. There was a demand for service increase regarding intervention, so he asked if there were any statistics to inform Members as to how the number of cases was progressing.  The Committee heard that the Children’s Services area would need to provide any information.

Mr Oliver requested a report be brought to the Committee to provide an update regarding progress for General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR).  Local Authorities had huge expectations of increased standards and the punitive results could be costly.  He wanted a sense of assurance that Thurrock Council was on the right track.  Officers agreed that an update report would be presented to the Committee.

The Chair queried whether there were risk assessments for the Council’s investment in the solar farm project and for the risk of flooding.  The Director of Finance & IT assured the Committee that, as with any investment, thorough checks were undertaken and related risks were understood.  The conclusion had been reached that there were considerable assurances and the matter had been through legal services and external parties as part of the due diligence process.  The Interim Insurance & Risk Manager outlined that anything related to flooding and the relevant precautions would form part of the Council’s Emergency Planning & Response arrangements. 

Councillor Gerrish left the meeting at 7:40pm.

RESOLVED:

(1)  That Standards and Audit Committee note the items and details contained in the Dashboard (Appendix 1).

(2)  That Standards and Audit Committee note the ‘In Focus’ report (Appendix 2), which includes the items identified by Corporate Risk Management, Performance Board and Directors Board that Standards and Audit Committee should focus on this quarter.