Agenda item - Strategic Risk Focus: SR2, SR25, SR10 and SR18

Report of the Executive Lead Officer, Strategy, Governance & Law

1)           That the Audit & Standards Committee notes Appendix 1 for details of SR2; SR25; SR10; and SR18.

2)           That, having considered Appendix 1 and any clarification and/or comments from the officers, the Committee makes any recommendations it considers appropriate to the relevant council body.

3)           That the Committee note (as detailed in paragraph 3.3) the changes to the council’s SRR.

6.1         The Committee considered a report of the Executive Lead Officer, Strategy, Governance & Law that provided detail on the actions taken and future actions to manage each strategic risk.

6.2         In relation to SR10, Councillor Sykes asked if regular cyber security training was provided.

6.3         The Head of Strategy & Engagement there had been a high level of focus on technical change and behavioural change to this point and the next phase would be training and that would be modelled based on need.

6.4         In relation to SR18, Councillor Sykes noted that Chromebooks were a very easy device to use and asked if a roll-out to some council employees had been considered.

6.5         The Head of Strategy &  Engagement clarified that periodical reviews of IT equipment were undertaken and the advantages of using Windows operating system was the provision of direct support and maintenance and that all members of the Orbis partnership all used that operating system allowing for greater efficiency.

6.6         The Chair noted that Information Management/Information Governance risk action had only reached 60% completion and the end date had passed.

6.7         The Head of Strategy & Engagement clarified that there had been some slippage against this action due to changes of personnel but there had been a change in approach to the training provided from a single module to several that should assist completion.

6.8         In relation to SR2, Councillor Sykes noted that the overall risk rating had risen since the previous report with the majority of uncertainty relating to changes and direction at national level.

6.9         The Deputy Chief Finance Officer replied that even though a four year funding deal had been agreed, there were still a number of uncertainties for example the outcome of the Fair Funding Review and Business Rates scheme pilot.

6.10      In relation to SR25, the Chair asked for an update on the progress of the Better Brighton & Hove Think Tank.

6.11      The Executive Lead, Strategy, Governance & Law clarified that the relevant documents had been drawn up and submitted to the Charity Commission. A work programme had been established by the independent trustees and a progress report would be submitted to a future meeting of the Policy, Resources & Growth Committee.

6.12      RESOVLED-

1)           That the Audit & Standards Committee notes Appendix 1 for details of SR2; SR25; SR10; and SR18.

2)           That, having considered Appendix 1 and any clarification and/or comments from the officers, the Committee makes any recommendations it considers appropriate to the relevant council body.

3)           That the Committee note (as detailed in paragraph 3.3) the changes to the council’s SRR.