Agenda item

Joint Report of the Corporate Director of Resources / Treasurer to the Joint Committee and the Corporate Director of Regeneration and Local Services.

The Head of Finance and Transactional Services asked Members to note the Risk Register Update 2017/18 report, the Joint Committee considering updates on a 6 monthly basis.  Members recalled that the report set out service risk register and the health and safety risk register, with risks being regularly reviewed by the DCC Risk Management Team in conjunction with the Bereavement Services Manager.  Due to the large number of Health and Safety risks within that register, revised arrangements for providing risk management assurance were proposed within the report recommendations.

It was explained that one new service risk had been highlighted with a recommendation that a fire-proof door be fitted to the ashes store room.  It was noted that this would be implemented by the Bereavement Services Manager and that all other risks on the service register remained unchanged.  The Head of Finance and Transactional Services noted that the risks were at a “tolerate” level and therefore Members could take assurance that risks were being assessed and subject challenged by colleagues from outside of the Bereavement Services Manager’s Team.

The Chairman asked why the Health and Safety risk would not be included in the 6 monthly report.  The Head of Finance and Transactional Services advised that if there was an issue it would be escalated to the Joint Committee.

Councillor P Jopling noted the appendices setting out the risks and asked were there any risks to the public.  The Head of Finance and Transactional Services noted that the report set out those risks, however, there were systems of control in place such to best mitigate those risks, meaning they were not likely to materialise.  An example given was the work undertaken to ensure there was sufficient capacity in the case of a severe winter, or pandemic flu, such that the Crematorium, and the other Council facility at Mountsett, could operate more cremations if required.

Councillor M McGaun asked if it was possible for Members to view the risk register in some way.  The Head of Finance and Transactional Services noted it had been made available looking at older Committee papers, however, the Bereavement Services Manager could look to make it available and to be appended to the Committee paper for the next few meetings.  The Chairman noted that if Members wished to have this information it could be added to the recommendations.

Resolved:

(i)           That the following risk be added to the service risk register, to reflect all risks in the health and safety risk register, ‘Serious breach of health and safety legislation’.

(ii)          That the detailed health and safety risk register no longer be included in the half-yearly update report to the Joint Committee, but be available to view if requested.

(iii)         That Members of the Central Durham Crematorium Joint Committee note the content of the report and the updated position.

(iv)         That the service risk register continues to be reviewed by the Joint Committee half yearly.

(v)          That the Risk Register is appended to the Joint Committee agenda papers for Members information.