Issue - meetings

Peter Stuart, Head of Corporate Resources introduced the report.  He highlighted the goals of the report: to agree the revised policy as set out in Appendix B, changes to the Constitution for Council to consider, and to agree the risks identified by the Management Team. The revised policy clarifies and makes substantive changes to bring the Audit Committee up to date, to review governance and risks.  He noted that the Chairman of the Audit Committee commented positively on the changes.

He advised that the risks identified by the Management Team reflects the changes in the way the Council operates, technical changes and the impact of the pandemic. The pandemic has led to a large variant in the finances of all councils and could have an impact for several years.  A large variant is not sustainable in the long term and actions taken in the next year will have an impact longer term.  Cyber security attacks have had a catastrophic impact on day to day operations.  Business continuity is included as the council is IT dependant, and an interruption to the modern working environment could be a strategic risk.  He confirmed that the Constitution Review Group would manage any changes to the terms of reference.

The Deputy Leader welcomed the proposed changes to the Strategic Risk Management Policy.  She noted the use of reserves to balance the annual budget and that the Council has been financially independent for a number of years.  The loss of £1.4m income from the leisure centres was out of the Council’s control.  The Deputy Leader endorsed the proposals.

The Cabinet Member for Customer Services expressed concern with operational resilience and business continuity.   She asked whether the risk of business continuity for personnel is covered as staffing is not mentioned.  She commended the officers who kept the council’s services operational during the pandemic.  Simon Hughes, Head of Digital and Customer Services confirmed that the resilience of the work force is reviewed through work force planning, the metrics on sickness and the ability to recruit. The programme to support staff by the Health and Wellbeing Team has been extended.  The data confirmed that the resilience of the work force  was not a strategic risk for council, and sickness levels have reduced.  As staff can be adequately supported  he was confident that it is not a strategic risk.

The Chair took the Members to the recommendations which were agreed unanimously.

RESOLVED

That Cabinet:

(i) Agreed the Strategic Risks for 2021-22 and management plans set out at appendix A; and,

(ii) Agreed the MSDC Strategic Risk Management Policy, as set out at Appendix B and supported the consequent changes to the Constitution.