Issue - meetings

This report informs the Committee on the overall arrangements for, and performance of, risk management across the Council.

Michael Sloniowski, Principal Consultant- Risk Management, introduced the report, which set out risk management activity in the previous period. He said that the creation of a Tri-Borough Risk Management function had been agreed, which would be hosted by RBKC. With this in mind, practices and principles were currently being harmonised.

He said that the members of the London Risk Group had met to compare risks, and found that the upcoming implementation of Universal Credit was identified as high risk.

Councillor Ginn asked what risks were associated with Universal Credit. Mr Sloniowski said that given the scale of the change in policy and implementation, there was inevitable risk around implementation. Jane West, Executive Director of Finance and Corporate Governance, said that there were also financial risks, in particular in relation to monthly payment and to the risk of rent arrears, given the change to Housing Benefit.

The Chairman asked whether the risk of flooding was covered by the Council’s risk register. Mr Sloniowski said that the Council had a Floor Risk Manager, and that the associated risks would be contained on the departmental risk register.

Councillor Murphy said, with regards to media crisis management, that he was concerned about a large-scale and unforeseen event, and whether the Council’s leadership had the ability to call for advice at short notice in such a case. The Chairman agreed that this would appear to be sensible.

RESOLVED THAT

The report be noted

This report informs the Committee on the overall arrangements for, and performance of, risk management across the Council.