Issue - meetings

To provide an overview of the recent risk management baseline review to enable the Committee to meet its responsibilities for monitoring the development and operation of the council’s risk management arrangements

Mr Stephen Spence arrived at 11:15am

Witnesses:

Anna D’Alessandro, Director – Corporate Finance 

Key points raised during the discussion:

1. The Director introduced the item and provided a brief summary. Members noted that risk management consultants Gallagher Bassett had undertaken a baseline review of the council’s strategic risk management arrangements during the end of 2019. Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, officers had not been able to progress work following the review as much as planned. Members noted that Gallagher Bassett had provided a number of recommendations on:

·        the risk management framework and whether it was appropriate.

·        training for Members and officers to integrate a risk culture

·        risk practices in terms of business planning and how integrated it was 

·        Detailed reviews of Surrey’s strategic risk register

Members noted that the Council intended to engage a risk management partner to work with Members and officers to integrate risk into the council’s business culture while working with partners and the Audit and Governance Committee. Following discussions with the Corporate Leadership Team, an update would be brought to a future meeting of the Committee.

2. Members highlighted that the recommendations provided by Gallagher Bassett were serious and that it was important to have an appropriate timeline.
3. Officers stated that a good partner for this work would help the council drive forward a risk culture in the council.
4. Following discussions, the Committee asked that final proposals are considered by Members in a formal or informal Audit and Governance Committee meeting.

Action/Further information to note:

The Committee asked that an update and final proposals are considered by Members in a formal or informal Audit and Governance Committee meeting.

RESOLVED:

The Committee considered the contents of the report and confirmed that they were satisfied with the next steps.