Decision details

The Internal Audit Manager reported that the Corporate Risk Register had undergone its regular quarterly review and update by the Corporate Risk Management Group and Management Team to ensure that actions were being taken to deal with the identified risks. She explained that Cabinet would now receive the Corporate Risk Register on a quarterly basis to ensure that significant issues and risks affecting the authority are highlighted to the Cabinet and relevant Portfolio Holders.

The Internal Audit Manager summarised the risks affecting the Council, as outlined in the report specifically the Corporate Health and Safety, business continuity plans, service planning, the Towards a Sustainable Future (TaSF) project, the amount of projects, staff morale and the procurement and contracts of the authority.

The Committee was concerned about the risks associated with the failure of delivering high quality services to residents if services become under-resourced. The Committee noted that there had been difficulties with the recruitment and retention of certain positions at the Council. The Deputy Chief Executive reassured the Committee that the Management Team were very mindful of these issues and were finding ways to address them such as recruitment and retention allowances and the broader advertisement of posts. The Committee suggested the introduction of internships and apprenticeships to fill these vacant posts as the post holders would be low cost and the roles have development opportunities which could be more enticing.

The Committee focused on the risks associated with corporate fraud and the successful investigations that had occurred in the last quarter. The Committee noted the good returns of £271,000 received at the end of December 2015 from a non-benefit fraud investigation of avoidance of business rates. The Committee noted the success of joint working with other surrey borough and the fact that this had promoted more robust services and access to information to combat fraud.

The revised register was considered to be an accurate reflection of the high level risks affecting the Authority and progress on actions was documented on the register.

Resolved that:

1)    The contents of the Corporate Risk Register be noted and accepted;

2)    That the Corporate Risk Register be recommended to Cabinet for approval.