Issue - meetings

To review a revised Risk Management Framework (report of the Assistant Director – Governance enclosed). 

Consideration was given to the report of the Assistant Director – Governance which requested a review of a revised Risk Management Framework. 

The Portfolio Holder – Corporate, Governance and Communications presented the report.

DECISION:

That the Risk Management Framework at Appendix A be supported and recommended for adoption.

(Other options considered:

·       Do nothing.  It had already been agreed by Councillors via the Annual Delivery Plan that a Risk Management Framework for the Partnership should be developed for consideration.  As such, this option was discounted.

Reasons for decision:

·       To provide an aligned and consistent approach to risk management at South Holland District Council, focused on best practice across the Partnership).

To review a revised Risk Management Framework (report of the Assistant Director – Governance (Monitoring Officer) enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Assistant Director – Governance which asked the Governance and Audit Committee to review a revised Risk Management Framework.

The Business Intelligence and Change Manager introduced the report which outlined the following main areas:

o   Introduction and definition;

o   Key principles and objectives of the Risk Management Framework;

o   Risk Management;

o   Benefits of Risk Management;

o   Key tasks of Corporate and Executive leaders;

o   Responsibilities of the Governance and Audit Committee;

o   Responsibilities of officers;

o   The role of Internal Audit to provide independent assurance;

o   Key components of risk management; and

o   The risk management process.

The draft Risk Management Framework was detailed at Appendix A

Members considered the update and made the following comments:

• Members noted that both Boston Borough Council and East Lindsey District had already approved Risk Management Frameworks at their authorities, and asked whether comments from members at the current meeting would shape the framework to be adopted at South Holland District Council.
  • The Business Intelligence and Change Manager responded that:
    • Comments from the Committee would be taken forward in the final version of the framework to be recommended to the SHDC Cabinet for adoption; and
    • Whilst the approach to risk management was aligned across the partnership, each sovereign council held its own respective Risk Management Framework, and a unique risk register.
  • The Assistant Director – Governance responded that:
    • Due to the approval scheduling differential of Risk Management Frameworks across the partnership, the Assistant Director – Governance had been granted delegated authority to make minor amendments to frameworks should these be identified; and
    • In relation to this, the scheduling of processes in respect of policy approvals across the partnership would be reviewed.

• Members asked whether the designated ‘Risk Officer’ and the ‘Risk Owner’ were the same.
  • The Business Intelligence and Change Manager responded that:
    • The ‘Risk Owner’ applied to the respective Assistant Director of the department where a specific risk had been identified; and
    • The ‘Risk Officer’ applied to the role of the Assistant Director – Governance. This role included responsibilities for the risk register with support provision from the Business Intelligence and Change Manager.

• Members requested the following additions/amendments:
  • Regarding responsibilities of the ‘Governance and Audit Committee’ detailed on page 41 of the agenda:
    • Members noted a text amendment was required to the first Governance and Audit key task;
    • Members requested that wording reflect risk ‘mitigation’ treatment measures; and
    • Regarding self-assessment, members requested that the upcoming self-assessment questionnaire be forwarded to members in advance.
  • Regarding key tasks of the ‘Insights and Transformation Team’ on page 42 of the agenda:
    • Members asked that ‘weaknesses’ be described as ‘perceived weaknesses’
  • Regarding the demonstration of commitment of ‘Managers’ to risk management on page 42 of the agenda:
    • Members asked that where owned risks were monitored and updated that any changes be ‘circulated accordingly’ to ensure that knowledge and learning was shared.
  • Regarding the ‘All Staff’ narrative on page 43 of the agenda:
    • Members requested that this clarified that the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 37