This report provides the latest update on the Strategic Risk Register 2023/24.

The Committee considered a report outlining the updates to the Strategic Risk Register (SRR), in line with the requirements of the Council’s Risk Management Strategy. A copy of the SRR was attached to the report at Appendix 1.  The Risk Register covered the actions completed by the Council for September to December 2023 and the risk ratings for January to March 2024.  The SRR had been reviewed by CMT on 19 December 2023 and no risks had been removed or de-escalated to the relevant Directorate Risk Register.  There had also been no new risks added to the SRR.  However, there were five red risk cards, with no change from the previous quarter:

·                Cyber - Risk of loss from cyber attack

·                BFfC - Lack of local special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) placement provision to meet current and future levels of demand.

·                Failure to safeguard vulnerable adults and children.

·                Failure to deliver zero carbon commitments.

·                Unable to deliver a balanced budget because of cost-of-living increases, demand pressures and achieving income targets.

An area of ongoing concern, which was covered by the Strategic Risk within the Council’s ability to set a balanced budget was the impact of the cost-of-living crisis affecting Homelessness budgets.  Private sector evictions had been steadily rising following on from the relaxation of Covid restrictions, with additional cost of living pressures placed on the sector, including escalating cost of Emergency Accommodation.  The Committee considered whether the pressure on Homelessness Services should be given greater prominence on the SRR due to its impact on other public services as well as managing the budget sustainably.

Resolved:      

(1)        That the Council’s Strategic Risk Register, as of January 2024, as set out in Appendix 1, be noted;

(2)        That the assessment of the risk rating to the local authority of homelessness set out in the Economic Growth & Neighbourhood Services Directorate’s Risk Register be circulated to members of the Committee for their information and to consider whether it required more explicit mention in the Strategic Risk Register.