The Interim Chief Officer – Finance, Performance and Change presented a report which updated the Audit Committee on the changes to the Corporate Risk Assessment.

She explained that since the risk assessment was last presented to Audit Committee in January a lot had changed. The updated risk assessment was listed at Appendix A of the report and had been reviewed in consultation with Corporate Management Board (CMB) and the Senior Management Team (SMT). She added that it identified the main risks facing the Council, their link to the priority themes, the likely impact of these on Council services and the wider County Borough, identified what is being done to manage the risks and who is responsible for the Council’s response.

The Interim Chief Officer – Finance, Performance and Change pointed out a couple of instances in Appendix A whereby a number of dates needed amending:

• The heading of Appendix A was incorrect and should read August 2020.
• The date of review for Risk 2, 4 and 6 should read Oct 2020.

The Interim Chief Officer – Finance, Performance and Change explained that during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, there were daily management meetings whereby risks relating to Covid-19 were identified and dealt with on a daily basis, and therefore were not added to the risk register. She explained that instead these were included in the weekly reports to the Gold meetings and this was thought to be sufficient reporting of the risks relating to Covid-19.

The Interim Chief Officer – Finance, Performance and Change explained that due to Covid-19, additional risks were added to the risk register to ensure thorough management of them throughout the pandemic with the hope that they will quickly drop off in due course. For example, risk 11, risk 12 and risk 13 were ongoing risks related to Covid-19 and would hopefully move off the risk register after in due course She added that this did not account for any new potential risks that we were not yet aware of as changing circumstances continue to unfold.

The Chairperson thanked the Interim Chief Officer – Finance, Performance and Change and her team for all the hard work managing the situation.

A Member asked for an update on the cash flow and associated risks and how quickly the Welsh Government had been providing money during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Interim Chief Officer – Finance, Performance and Change explained that with regards to income, this was coming from a multitude of sources and the Council had been claiming from Welsh Government on a monthly basis for additional costs due to Covid and almost three quarters had already been refunded. She added that there had been no cash flow problems.

The Interim Deputy Head of Finance commented on the cash flow risk stating that there were still outstanding payments being made with regards to the Business Grants and although the scheme had now closed, there were outstanding claims that still required information from the valuation office before we could close them.

A Member asked with regards to receiving refunds on Covid-19 related costs, were the Council receiving money back for school cleaning. She gave the example of a year group closing in Bryntirion Comprehensive School, and the school requiring a deep clean, and if this were to continue to happen, would we be facing those costs ourselves as an authority.

The Interim Chief Officer – Finance, Performance and Change explained that with regards to the first deep cleans that were carried out on schools, the Council had received grant money for that. However, with the situation moving fast and the uncertainty of what year groups/schools may close, there was no definitive answer at this time. Welsh Government had not indicated what they were going to do in this situation.

The Interim Deputy Head of Finance added that Welsh Government provided all schools with funding for the purchase of PPE, cleaning supplies etc. which would cover the schools for the remainder of the term. She added that there had been an indication that more funding would be made available but there was no specific details on that as of yet.

The Lay Member asked with regard to the risks related to Covid-19, if they belonged on the risk register.

The interim Chief Officer – Finance, Performance and Change explained that the cash flow risks tied in with Risk 1 covering the Council’s financial sustainability which had always been a risk but had been further amplified by the effects of Covid-19. She added that the other risks were about restoring and recovering services and felt that categorising the risks were better suited to allow the Council to focus on them.

The Lay Member asked for specific details relating to the comments on Risk 2 - ‘A review of Council processes has meant that some deemed unnecessary and bureaucratic have ceased but full compliance with those that remain is required.’ The interim Chief Officer – Finance, Performance and Change advised that a formal response to this would be provided at the next meeting.

A Member asked what was being done to help care staff in BCBC as it was reported on the news that a sum of 500 pounds was to be paid to them. She asked if this had been arranged yet.

The interim Chief Officer – Finance, Performance and Change explained that the logistics of this had been difficult but the Council were in the process of making those payments. She clarified that the payments were subject to tax and NI and that every carer would actively have to claim for the money as it was not automatically paid.

The Chairperson expressed her concerns with regards to risk number 8 and the ability to recruit new staff and retain current staff. She mentioned that development of current staff, particularly new and younger staff was important and was concerned that this was not incorporated within the risk.

The interim Chief Officer – Finance, Performance and Change agreed that recruiting new staff had posed a challenge, particularly in the role of the Chief Officer – Finance, Performance and Change. She acknowledged the importance of retaining current staff and giving them the opportunity to learn and develop and stated that she would take this point to CMB for further discussions.

The Chairperson expressed her concerns regarding risk 10 and the current situation with home working. She asked if discussions could be had with CMB to incorporate the potential GDPR risks of printing, storing and disposing of confidential documents. The interim Chief Officer – Finance, Performance and Change agreed that further guidance could be produced for staff working from home to ensure that this risk is managed.

The Chairperson mentioned the Covid-19 Recovery Panel had been established and that this had not been incorporated in risk 11 as a means of tackling the risk. The interim Chief Officer – Finance, Performance and Change said that she would present this to CMB.

RESOLVED: That Members considered changes to the Corporate Risk Assessment and agreed to receive a further report in January 2021 concerning the 2021-22 Corporate Risk Assessment and review of the Corporate Risk Management Policy.