Agenda item

To provide an update on risk at the end of September 2025 (report of the Assistant Director – Governance enclosed)

The Assistant Director – Governance introduced the Quarter 2 Risk Report for 2025/26. Members were advised that overall risk trends were positive, with several risks reducing and none increasing. Updates included proposals to move the external communications risk to the operational register, reductions in the capacity and net-zero target risks following recent assurance work, progress on key Housing Revenue Account (HRA) risks, and the addition of new risks relating to the HRA Business Plan and emergency repairs service staffing. Members were invited to raise questions on the report.

The report was considered and the following issues were raised:

·       Members queried the rationale for removing the external communications risk from the strategic register.

o   The Business Intelligence and Change Manager explained that this was not a strategic risk unique to the Council but a service delivery matter better managed at an operational level. The risk would therefore be monitored within the operational risk register rather than being removed entirely.

·       Members sought clarification on whether updates had been made to the SHDC23 Health and Safety risk since the Quarter 2 extraction date.

o   The Business Intelligence and Change Manager confirmed that the register was a live document and that if audit actions due by the end of Q2 had not been completed, the risk score would change accordingly. The officer undertook to provide the Committee with the updated Quarter 3 position once reviewed.

·       Members raised concerns regarding the narrative for the Local Government Reform risk, suggesting it may now be outdated.

o   The Business Intelligence and Change Manager stated that while wording may be refreshed, the risk remained relevant as future requirements were still unclear. It was expected that a standalone Local Government Reform risk register may be required in future.

·       Members asked for an update on the new SHDC RA16 Repairs Service Staffing risk, particularly regarding recruitment progress.

o   The Business Intelligence and Change Manager noted that the Quarter 2 report pre?dated key recruitment milestones and confirmed that an updated position would be obtained and shared. The high rating reflected the significant health, safety and reputational implications of the service.

·       Members sought clarification on whether the Environment Act 2021 risk related specifically to food waste collection and whether delays in vehicle procurement had contributed to the high risk score.

o   The Business Intelligence and Change Manager confirmed that the risk covered the Council’s overall readiness to implement the Act, including food waste services, and acknowledged that procurement?related delays were a contributing factor.

·       Members requested an explanation of the ‘civil contingencies’ risk.

o   The Business Intelligence and Change Manager advised that this related to emergencies requiring a coordinated multi?agency response under the Civil Contingencies Act, such as major flooding or significant incidents.

·       Members asked whether contingency plans were in place if anticipated government funding relating to SHDC RA14 did not materialise.

o   The Business Intelligence and Change Manager undertook to seek clarification from the service area and provide an update once available.

·       Members queried updates to the TRN16 emergency repairs service staffing risk, noting several milestone dates had passed.

o   The Business Intelligence and Change Manager advised that a wider update would be sought and shared with the Committee.

·       Members queried whether projected housing growth was being factored into forward planning for future waste collection rounds.

o   The Business Intelligence and Change Manager confirmed that growth estimates formed part of service planning and around review activity and undertook to provide further detail on the modelling assumptions.

·       Members asked whether the financial reporting training for staff, referenced in mitigation FO4 and scheduled for rollout in 2024, had taken place.

o   The Business Intelligence and Change Manager agreed to confirm whether the training had been delivered and to update the risk narrative to reflect either completion or future training plans.

AGREED:

That the quarterly risk monitoring information for Q2 of 2025/26 be noted.