1.    INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

1.1     Risk management is the process undertaken to identify, evaluate and mange risks. In early 2016 we implemented a new risk management framework designed to improve the risk management process. This included implementing a programme of monitoring and review stages for Officers and Members. As a result, we have been providing updates twice a year to this Committee to present risk information and detail how the corporate level risks are being managed.

1.2     Following our last update in October 2017, Members adopted the risk appetite statement. This statement sets out the level of risk that the Council is willing to take in order to achieve objectives, and also establishes a process for risks that sit above the tolerance level. This was the final element of the risk management process to be implemented, and so since that time we have been working with Officers to update and review all the Council’s risks in accordance the appetite and tolerance levels.

1.3     This report provides Members the with outcomes of this review work, including:

·         Updates to each corporate risk

·         Risks in the context of our Mid Kent partners

·         Operational risk profile

·         Planned work for 2018/19

1.4     The update report is attached in appendix 1 and a full copy of the risk register is attached in appendix 1A

2.        AVAILABLE OPTIONS

2.1     In order for any risk management process to be effective it is vital that risk information is reported, that risks are monitored and that action is taken to manage risks to an acceptable level. This has been recognised by the Committee who have requested updates twice a year.

2.2     An alternative option would be for the Committee to change the frequency of our reporting of risks, or stop it altogether. This would however be contrary to previous requests.

3.        PREFERRED OPTION AND REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS

3.1     This report is largely for noting and for discussion during the meeting. This has been a valuable exercise in past meetings, and so the preferred option would be for these updates to continue in this format.

4.       RISK

4.1    The focus of this report is risk management. The update is presented for information only and so has no risk management implications.

5.       CONSULTATION RESULTS AND PREVIOUS COMMITTEE FEEDBACK

5.1     All risks are allocated an owner, that is, someone in the Council who is best placed to co-ordinate a response and to monitor progress. Risk owners range from our Managers, Heads of Service, up to Corporate Leadership Team.

5.2     Risk owners provide their own updates and so all of the Officers identified in the report, and all of the Corporate Leadership Team, has been consulted on the content of this update.

6.       NEXT STEPS: COMMUNICATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DECISION

6.1     Unless requested otherwise, we will continue to report risk updates to Members of this Committee every 6 months.

7.       CROSS-CUTTING ISSUES AND IMPLICATIONS

8.        REPORT APPENDICES

The following documents are to be published with this report and form part of the report:

·         Appendix 1: Corporate Risk Update

9.        BACKGROUND PAPERS

The risk management framework (detailed guidance) was reported to Policy and Resources Committee in February 2016 and is publically available on the Council’s website.

The Council’s risk appetite statement was agreed by Policy and Resources Committee in October 2017 and is publically available on the Council’s website.