The Interim Deputy Head of Audit introduced the Risk Management Annual Report 2022/23, the purpose of which was to provide assurance on the Council’s risk management arrangements.  It was noted that:

·  The report was set out in two parts; the first part provided the assurance that the risk management processes were working effectively in 2022/23 and the second part set out the work programme for ensuring ongoing effective delivery of the risk management arrangements in 2023/24.

·  The Committee’s role was to seek assurance that the Council’s risk management arrangements were working effectively to support the Council in achieving its priorities.

·  The risk management processes had operated throughout the year in line with the Council’s Risk Management Framework.  The arrangements had been enhanced through the implementation of the Council’s risk management software (JCAD) which was available to all risk owners and senior management allowing them to view and update their risks and which provided a more efficient risk management process and more effective reporting of risk information.

·  Key areas of work identified for 2023/24 included reviewing and updating the Council’s Risk Management Framework; maintaining routine risk processes; providing risk training; refreshing the Council’s Corporate Risk Register; and continuing to refine and enhance JCAD.  In addition, the Council could enhance its risk management arrangements in terms of project risk management and consideration of risk in decision-making, but delivery of this work was dependent on Mid-Kent Audit resources being available.

Having considered the response to its questions relating to the mitigations in place to manage the risks associated with the introduction of voter ID; the changes to the current risk profile; the reasons for the reduction in the number of risk management days delivered in 2022/23; the effectiveness of the new JCAD software and the feedback on the training sessions provided on the system; and the monitoring of risks on the horizon which were not yet sufficiently clear to articulate as risks and manage, but which could have a significant effect on the delivery of the Council’s strategic priorities, the Committee:

RESOLVED:  That the Risk Management Annual Report 2022/23 be noted.