Mr David Dobbs, Head of Internal Audit, Anti-Fraud and Risk stated the report summarised the risk management activity during the course of 2022-23 and provided an updated action plan designed to improve the Risk Management framework across the Council.

Mr Dobbs referred to page 62 of the agenda and paragraphs 4.2 and 4.3. He said an action plan had been devised, as per paragraph 6.1, which objectives to improve Risk management identification and management.

In response to questions and comments from members the following was noted:

·       In reference to the table at paragraph 5.5, Mr Dobbs said there was no specific answer as to why the Children and Culture Directorate had a higher average risk rating than other Directorates. He said risk managers were aware of risk in their areas of responsibility with risk ratings either go up or down.

o   ACTION: The Committee requested that in future reports, a short synopsis giving context to the figures be provided, in order for members to better grasp why a particular trend is emerging.

·       In relation to the chart at 5.6 and the number of control reviews overdue, Mr Dobbs said that this may be due to JCAD not being updated by risk owners. He said it was important for risk owners to ensure it was updated.

·       In response to if an alert or RAG model could be used to alert risk owners of overdue controls, Mr Dobbs said the JCAD system already sent alerts however the action plan and the reviewing of the Directorate risk register by the Committee were ways to ensure risks are reviewed in a timely manner.

The Audit Committee RESOLVED to:

1.    Note the annual Risk Management report and agree the proposed action plan.