Agenda item

The report of the Director of Resources provides the Corporate Governance & Audit Committee with assurances relating to the adequacy of the risk and resilience controls currently in place in the council; that they are up to date, fit for purpose, embedded and routinely applied.

The Director of Resources presented a report which provided the Corporate Governance & Audit Committee with assurances relating to the adequacy of the risk and resilience controls currently in place in the council; that they are

up to date, fit for purpose, embedded and routinely applied.

In attendance for this item were:

·  Marianna Pexton – Chief Officer Strategy and Policy

·  Tim Rollet – Intelligence and Policy Manager

·  Leanne Cummings - Resilience & Emergencies Team Manager

Members were informed of the following points:

• The term ‘Risk and Resilience’ covers the three inter-related areas of Risk Management, Emergency Planning and Business Continuity Management.
• In Risk and Resilience there have been a number of significant changes and the teams have been working jointly. A single joint report is produced quarterly and disseminated to management teams. The report covers a wide range of aspects and arrangements are constantly evolving.
• Appendix 1 sets out emergency planning, the teams-based system, frequency of reporting and the robust training schedule. 
• The teams are currently working on a joint Emergency Planning and Business Continuity policy and strategy

In response to questions from Members the Committee were provided with the following information:

• In relation to the communication arrangements in place in respect of large incidents, for example terrorist incidents, assurance was given that exercises have taken place, including no notice call outs, and internal arrangements are tested, to ensure that arrangements are efficient and effective.  The Chief Officer Strategy and Policy and gave assurance that arrangements are in place and do kick in when necessary. 
• In the event of an incident, it would be reported to the emergency planning officer on call 24/7 who has a direct link to the Director on call. If the incident was major the Chief Officer Strategy and Policy or Chief Executive would be included, and the incident would be led by the relevant organisation, for example the police would lead on a terrorist incident.
• The national risk register, and regional model allow constant review and testing of arrangements to ensure that arrangements will be effective in the event of an incident.
• Services are expected to test their business continuity arrangements at local level to ensure that they address risks and ensure resilience within each service.
• It was noted that there was training in place for Councillors, and to be included in induction programme as fundamental to a Councillor’s role.  It was suggested that the team contact the Whips to discuss development training for all Councillors not just new Councillors. It was recognised that Councillors need to be aware of how to react to incidents and who to contact.
• In relation to a question on radiation monitors it was noted that the Council had none. However, the Council does have warning and informing information available for the public to create a household emergency plan considered matters such as where to obtain a supply of clean water and how to heat tinned food if the need arises.
• Members questioned arrangements in respect of second line checks in relation to potential for power outages.  West Yorkshire Resilience Forum have identified power outages to prepare a regional power outage plan based on government guidance which will be used to inform the production of a local plan.  Services are being asked to consider arrangements in the event of a power outage to address this type of risk.
• Guidance for incidents is rolled down from Central Government to the West Yorkshire Resilience Forum to the authority. 84 critical services have been identified. It was noted that feedback on the continuity plans had been positive so far.
• Members noted the risk arising from budget challenge and potential for exposure to increased claims arising because of lack of resource, and therefore claim reserves.  It was suggested that a briefing note be provided for Members.

RESOLVED - To receive the annual report on the council’s risk and resilience arrangements and note the assurances in support of their next Annual Governance Statement.