URL: https://councillors.knowsley.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=6838

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose:

Content: The Cabinet considered the report of the Chief Executive which provided an update on the Councils new Strategic Risk Register following the annual review of all departmental and strategic risks.   Councillor Brennan, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Members for Regeneration and Economic Development, reported that the review of the Council’s strategic risks had resulted in the identification of 41 risks having a potential severe financial impact and/or could significantly damage the reputation of the local authority, which included four new risks, and a summary of the Council’s Strategic Risk Register, had been  detailed in Section 3 of the report. Councillor Brennan highlighted that many of those risks had been outside of the Council’s control, and they were not unique to Knowsley as other local authorities across the country were facing many of the same risks and issues.   Councillor Brennan highlighted that the Register would be kept up to date through the regular monitoring of strategic risks, with new risks added as soon as they became apparent, and existing risks removed or de-escalated as appropriate. In this respect, Councillor Brennan highlighted that section 4 of the report outlined the robust approach, embedded within the Council’s overarching performance and assurance framework, to monitoring risks and identifying new risks as they arose.   Councillor Brennan highlighted that a progress report, including detailed actions taken to mitigate the strategic risks, would be reported to the Council’s Governance and Audit Committee in January 2025. Councillor Brennan indicated that this would be an important part of the Councils governance arrangements in providing a critical assessment of the Council’s approach to managing its strategic risks.   Councillor Brennan reported that the report sought a review of the Register to be carried out following the publication of the new Knowsley Council Plan in March 2025 and the Government’s Comprehensive Spending Review announcement in April 2025.               RESOLVED – That:-   (i)         the Strategic Risk Register as outlined in section 3 of this report be agreed;   (ii)        a review of the Strategic Risk Register be carried out following the publication of the new Knowsley Council Plan in March 2025 and the Government’s Comprehensive Spending Review announcement in April 2025;   (iii)       changes to the Risk Register be made by the Executive Directors in consultation with the relevant Cabinet Members; and   (iv)       a progress report be presented to the Governance and Audit Committee in January 2025 with a view to seeking an independent assessment of the Council’s approach to risk management.  

Date of Decision: December 4, 2024