Issue - meetings

Resolved:

(1)  That the top three Strategic Risks included within the Strategic Risk Register be noted.

(2)  That the status of Directorate Risk Registers be noted.

(3)  That an update on the position of the action against the strategic risk to be provided to committee in June 2019 be noted.

(4)  Committee be provided with further information surrounding the conflict of interest being identified through a specialist third party on the devolvement of Adult Education Budget.

(5)  That committee to receive copy of the report presented at WMCA Board on the devolution of the Adult Education Budget 2019/20 for information only purposes.

(6)  Committee to receive a report at a future meeting regarding the gender pay gap.

(7)  Supporting evidence for improved scoring of risks to be provided with future updates.

The committee considered a report from the Corporate Assurance Manager that supported the committee with its responsibility of providing oversight of risk management within the West Midlands Combined Authority. The report contained a detailed summary of the current status of the top three strategic risks as confirmed by the Senior Leadership Team at its meeting on 12 December 2018.

It was acknowledge that further to the report being shared with committee the risk identified for financial assumptions for exiting programmes had increased due to the funding gaps identified in the Investment Programme which continued to be monitored by the Investment Board along with work undertaken to mitigation options. The Director of Strategy highlighted that the risk towards the delivery of Commonwealth Games relating to funding had been reduced due to the confirmation of the process for drawing down funding.

Councillor John O’Shea referenced ‘unplanned Corporate Services interventions’ within the report and asked as to whether there were any cost implications. The Head of HR & Organisation Development shared that as a result of the organisation growing, Corporate Services was having to flex and change the way in meeting the demands. Corporate Service was being reviewed with the outcome being reported back to the Senior Leadership Team. It was also acknowledged that recruitment to specialist posts required external consultants and both the Head of HR & Organisation Development and Interim Head of Finance were aware of the cost implications. Councillor Alexander Phillips felt that the impact of a potential recession should be factored as a standing risk within the risk register. 

The Chair asked that supporting evidence for significant improvements in risk/impact scoring be shared with ARAC to overcome the previous concerns of optimum bias.

Resolved:

(1)  That the top three Strategic Risks included within the Strategic Risk Register be noted.

(2)  That the status of Directorate Risk Registers be noted.

(3)  That an update on the position of the action against the strategic risk to be provided to committee in June 2019 be noted.

(4)  Committee be provided with further information surrounding the conflict of interest being identified through a specialist third party on the devolvement of Adult Education Budget.

(5)  That committee to receive copy of the report presented at WMCA Board on the devolution of the Adult Education Budget 2019/20 for information only purposes.

(6)  Committee to receive a report at a future meeting regarding the gender pay gap.

(7)  Supporting evidence for improved scoring of risks to be provided with future updates.