Issue - meetings

To receive an update on COVID-19 risk considerations from the Internal Audit Manager.

The Internal Audit Manager presented her report on the Covid-19 Risk Assessment.  The Risk Assessment had been reduced to focus specifically on the high level risks for Spelthorne and some of the risk categories aligned with the Council’s recovery plan and objectives.  As requested by the Committee, the document had been amended to highlight those risk categories significantly impacted by externalities and therefore distinguish areas where the Council had little or no control.  The document also includes those risk categories where the Council is in a position to apply greater local control and mitigation measures.

As requested by the Committee at the July meeting, the position on establishing key performance indicators (KPIs) for economic recovery was provided and referred to in the cover report.

The Internal Audit Manager highlighted key issues and actions being taken to mitigate those risks. 

In response to a question asking if the increased number of Covid-19 cases and the possibility of a further lockdown was perceived as a risk, members were advised that it was not thought that we were at that stage at the moment.  Weekly Borough Emergency Committee meetings were being held, trends checked and action taken to inform and update residents.   There were differing views among medical experts and it was difficult to anticipate what would happen during the winter months.  The Chief Finance Officer also advised that as a result of government funding, a Household Support Fund went live on 29 November to assist those residents struggling to meet rising food and energy costs.

It was noted that an incorrect version of the report had been added to the agenda and the final version including reference to the Chancellor’s Budget announcement would be published with the minutes of the meeting. 

The Committee resolved to note the report.