Agenda item

The committee considered a report of the Executive Director of Finance  & Business Hub that provided an update on Strategic Risk Register.

The Head of Business Improvement, Fiona Bebbington, presented the report on behalf of the Strategic Risk Manager who was unable to attend the meeting.

The Head of Business Improvement reported that 2 new strategic risks had been identified since the last meeting but there was not much movement on risks generally, so work was being undertaken with the relevant directorates to understand why some risks were static.

The Chair reported that he expected strategic risks to be around for a longer period of time and it was helpful that changes to risk were highlighted in red.

Councillor Collingswood (Wolverhampton) enquired whether it was sustainable to have 13 risks rated red, high risk, in the current environment and that his own authority, called in high risks whereby the owners were questioned by the audit committee.

The Head of Business Planning, Fiona Bebbington reported that there was little movement on the risks which, was not desirable but risks were reviewed on a regular basis and there was engagement between risk owners and the Executive Board.

The Executive Director of Finance & Business Hub, Linda Horne, reported that she was pleased with progress being made and the reporting mechanism which provided quality information. She added that the Strategic Risk Manager was reviewing risks that have been around for some time to ensure these were updated and the Executive Board could take a ‘Deep dive’ into risks as they see fit.

In relation to an enquiry from the Chair regarding how risks for the Commonwealth Games Legacy Fund would be managed, the Executive Director of Finance & Business Hub advised that they were part of the risk management framework and would be reported to this committee if there was any concern.

In relation to an enquiry from Councillor Mehmi (Walsall) regarding money lost by four local authorities that were part of the Black Country Plan and the impact on the WMCA, the Executive Director of Finance & Business Hub, Linda Horne reported that there was no impact on the WMCA’s schemes but undertook to speak to the Finance Director at Walsall with regards to them providing Councillor Mehmi with a briefing note on the matter.

Councillor Borley (Dudley) enquired as to the new risk relating to transport and effective cost management of TfWM’s programmes and whether the impact was known.

The Executive Director of Finance & Business Hub reported that the WMCA had secured a Deeper Devolution Deal with Government since the report was written which, should help alleviate some of the risks and bring extra funding for the Wednesbury to Brierley Hill Metro Extension.  Additionally, the WMCA would receive funding from the second round of the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS). She advised that a report updating the WMCA Board on transport pressures would be considered at their next meeting in June and undertook to provide Councillor Borley with a copy of the report when submitted.

Resolved:

1.    The key messages in the Strategic Risk Update be noted and

2.    The revisions and planned revisions to the Strategic Risk Register be noted.