Agenda item

To consider a report from the Director for Digital & Resources, copies attached as item 7.

Before the Committee was a report by the Director for Digital & Resources, copies of which had been circulated to all Members and copies are attached to the signed copy of these Minutes as Item 7.

The Scrutiny and Risk Officer stated the report provided updates on the management of the Councils’ Risks and Opportunities and referred Members to Appendix A and B.  The number of ‘High’ Risks was 5 Corporate and 8 Service was the same as in the May 2019 report.

Members were being asked to consider if they would like any further information on any of the Risk and Opportunities and agree a further progress report be received in January 2020.

Committee Members raised a number of queries, particularly on the Corporate ‘High’ Risks.

One Member requested an update on major projects that remained undelivered and  strategically important sites,  such as Teville Gate and Union Place, that remained vacant.  The Officer advised the matter had been raised at a previous meeting in May and he had provided a written response to all Members of the Committee following that meeting.

Another Member referred to Legal Services working with other local authorities and questioned why this was no longer seen as an opportunity.  The Head of Legal Services explained the situation, advised a good working relationship still existed with the local authorities and felt there could be further opportunities to work together in the future.

There was mention made regarding housing supply in the area and whether the Councils were actively identifying other private sector properties, such as Rowlands Road, to convert into temporary accommodation.  The Chief Financial Officer responded to the query, as she sat on the Affordable Housing Working Group, and updated Members on projects that were in place.

A Member referred to the failure of the Council to deliver major sites and felt questions should be raised as to why the policies in place were not producing the results expected.  There followed a general discussion on the matter, particularly, whether the subject fitted within the remit of the Joint Governance Committee (JGC).  The Solicitor to the Council and Monitoring Officer clarified for Members, the TOR for the JGC, under Part 3 of the Constitution.

To assist, the Scrutiny and Risk Officer advised Members that at the next Joint Overview & Scrutiny Committee (JOSC) meeting on 17 October 2019, a progress report on Platforms for Places would be heard, with the Chief Executive in attendance, together with interviews with the Leaders of the Councils.  The Officer suggested comments from the JGC could be referred to Chairs of JOSC.  There was also a report going to the Joint Strategic Committee on 8 October 2019 as an update on the Corporate Risks as part of the Risk Strategy.

The Chair believed the role of the JGC was to examine and decide whether the JGC agreed with the assessment of the risks and opportunities, and if not, should be commenting on the same.  The Solicitor to the Council and Monitoring Officer clarified for the Committee that they had the power to make recommendations to full Council and that it would be legitimate for the Committee to ask for a more detailed report on the risk management of a particular matter.

The Chair suggested that at the next JGC meeting, the relevant Officer attended to discuss the risks around major projects; assess whether the risks were appropriately described; and actions being undertaken by the Officer.  The Member felt the Joint Strategic Committee should be made aware that JGC were concerned about the risk and as a consequence would be inviting the relevant Officer to the next JGC meeting.

In conclusion, a Member raised his concerns that Council finances continued to be under pressure after several years of reducing income from central government and what action could be taken.  The Chief Financial accepted there was a risk, but the Councils had strategies in place in an effort to be less dependent on government funding, and confirmed lobbying had taken place by all parties.

With reference to financial risk, the Chief Financial Officer agreed the report should be expanded to include the pressure from parties withdrawing funding.

In conclusion, the Scrutiny and Risk Officer advised the Committee that the Policy in respect of Climate Emergency could be added as a Corporate Risk.  Once the scale of the issue was known, the Chair felt a special meeting should be arranged for further broader discussion.

Resolved

That the Joint Governance Committee:-

·         noted the progress in managing risks and opportunities;

·         requested the Joint Strategic Committee be made aware of JGC’s concerns regarding the delivery of major projects;

·         consider a special meeting be arranged to discuss Climate Emergency; and

·         agreed to receive a further progress report in January 2020.