Agenda item

To consider Item 15

The Corporate Planning Manager advised Members that the methodology used for corporate risk management was based on good practice guidance from ALARM (Association of Local Authority Risk Managers) and was widely used across the public sector including central and local government, housing, education and the blue light services. As Members would have seen from the appendices to the report, a standard 5 x 5 scoring matrix was used to assess the probability and impact of a risk crystallising. The risk assessments were detailed in the corporate risk register.

The Corporate Planning Manager advised Members that as mentioned in the Executive Summary, the risks presented today were those that had been escalated from other registers, held at directorate and department levels, where most of the risks were recorded and assessed. Typically, the risks were escalated because they had strategic implications. Departments and directorates regularly reviewed their own risk registers, and these were also scrutinised on a quarterly basis by the Performance Management Board. Anything that required potential escalation was referred to the Strategic Management Board who also reviewed the current set of corporate risks at their monthly meetings.

The Corporate Planning Manager advised Members that there were two risks displaying a red RAG status and three at amber. The staff availability risk had remained high throughout the period since the Covid-19 pandemic began here in the UK. This may be because the enhanced cleaning and social distancing regimes that had been adopted, had helped keep other seasonal infections at bay as well Covid-19 itself. However, the risk status remained at red because of the potential impact of recent rulings relating to the firefighters’ pension scheme which meant that the Authority was likely to face a steeper staff retirement profile than would otherwise have been the case. Those affected include many more experienced and senior staff who would not be easy to replace on a like for like basis, especially as this was a national issue with all fire and rescue services exposed to this risk.

Most of the Authority’s funding was derived from council tax receipts and an allocation from business rates. Historically these had been predictable from year to year with any uncertainties generally confined to areas where the Authority received specific government grants, i.e. Urban Search and Rescue (USAR). However, the impact of Covid-19 had meant there was now significant risk across the entire funding base over the medium term. The extent of this was not yet clear but there was potential for both council tax and business rate receipts to fall as many sectors of the economy contract with associated business failures and rising unemployment. Therefore, this risk remains at Red RAG status and was being closely monitored.

Members were advised that a new risk had been added to the register around the potential for a resurgence of Covid-19 and/or the emergence of pandemic influenza. In addition to the treatments listed, the Authority was offering free flu vaccinations to all staff; this wouldn’t reduce the risk of Covid-19 infection, however the Service would continue to maintain its enhanced cleaning and social distancing regimes to reduce the risk of transmission until such time as a reliable vaccine became widely available.

A Member asked about the possible reduction in staff levels due to the pension situation and was advised that there was on going recruitment of apprentices, twenty had been recruited so far this year with the possibility of further recruitment in the autumn. There was also a lot of work taking place to develop existing staff through the Authority’s supportive leadership programme.

A Member asked about the scoring of key risks on pandemic resurgence and did the severity rating need to be reviewed and was advised that it was being kept under constant review in light of intelligence being received.

A Member also asked if comparisons of the impact of Covid-19 on other fire and rescue authorities in more highly effected areas was being looked at and was advised that every day the Authority had to submit returns to the Home Officer around how Covid-19 had impacted upon the Service, and a report was produced across all fire and rescue services within the UK. Although one or two authorities may have had an amber rating, generally most fire and rescue services were green.

RESOLVED –

1.              That the status on identified corporate risk at Annex C be reviewed and approved.

2.              Comments be provided to officers for consideration and attention in future updates/reports.