Issue - meetings

To provide an update to the Committee on the progress of the Council’s identified strategic risks (report of the Executive Manager for Growth enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Executive Manager for Growth, which provided an update to the Committee on the progress of the Council’s identified strategic risks.

The Senior Change, Innovation and Performance Business Partner provided the Committee with the following updates:

·         The risk of the Council failing to meet regulatory compliances had reduced in likelihood.  The risk had been raised in Q3 due to the upcoming election and the challenges faced as a result of Covid, and reduced resources.  It was noted that the election had been delivered successfully and in a Covid-safe manner.

·         In the build-up and subsequent separation from Breckland Council, a key function of external policy and horizon-scanning work had moved across to Breckland (this function had been managed under the previous role of Senior Policy Advisor within the Shared Management Team).  These changes to the structure increased the likelihood of the organisation breaching regulatory compliance.  This area of work would now be undertaken by the Senior Change, Innovation and Performance Business Partner, and key intelligence was circulated to all senior staff for awareness, thus reducing this risk.

·         There had been an increased risk around the breakdown of internal communications. It was clarified that this was not regarding a breakdown of internal communications, rather that there was an increased need for the Authority’s internal communications plans to be frequent, useful and informative for staff.  The need for this was crucial due to current key events such as the end of the strategic partnership with Breckland Council, changes with regard to returning to the office to work and the easing of lockdown, and information on new strategic partnerships.

AGREED:

That the content of the report be noted.