Agenda item

The Committee received a report of the Corporate Director of Resources that supported the Council’s Risk Management Strategy and highlighted the strategic risks faced by the Council and provided an insight into the work carried out by the Corporate Risk Management Group between June and September 2023 (for copy see file of minutes).

P Darby highlighted that there were four new risks that included the lack of education phycologists where there was a national shortage that would impact on children with social care plans; specialist fleet, plant and equipment although DCC had a robust maintenance fleet there were longer lead in times to buy specialist equipment; land slippage on the A690 continued to be monitored but with climate change and flooding there were extra risks; and highways structures like bridges that were under threat from fast flooding rivers that created surges of debris that damaged them.  He also confirmed that DCC were awaiting the outcome of round 3 for the Levelling Up Fund (LUF) submissions that had created a risk if they were unsuccessful.

Councillor B Kellett asked what continuity plans were in place if the A690 road collapsed as National Rail had premises in that vicinity that may be affected.

P Darby responded that there was a £15 million capital scheme in place to repair the road.  The road continued to be monitored and it had not deteriorated so the risk had not increased.  Work was ongoing with engineers to start repair works in the next calendar year.  He advised that the Council were liaising with National Rail to potentially carry out repairs on their behalf.  Highways England were aware of the situation.

Councillor B Kellett was concerned that the amount of rain that had fallen would cause further damage as there had been no warning when a road collapsed in Northumberland. 

P Darby reassured the Committee that there were monitors and sensors on the road to constantly monitor the slippage and money was available to carry out repairs. 

Mr C Robson queried if Durham County Council had received £20 million of Towns Fund monies for Spennymoor and how this differed from the LUF and other funding for Bishop Auckland and if this relied on other agencies.

P Darby explained that Bishop Auckland had been awarded LUF funding in Round 1 and that Bishop Auckland was also benefitting for other funding – through the Future High Streets Fund and the Towns Fund, which were different funding pots. 

The £20m of funding that had recently been announced for Spennymoor was different.

Levelling Up Fund allocations were awarded to Parliamentary Constitutions, whereas the Spennymoor monies was an endowment scheme over 10 years that was to be managed by a town board that needed to be established. The detailed guidance on how this scheme would work had only recently been published and was being worked on. 

Durham County Council had submitted 5 bids for LUF in round 2 that had been unsuccessful as the government had decided that if an award was given in round 1 then no monies could be awarded in round 2.  Durham County Council had resubmitted the original 5 bids in round 3 and were awaiting the outcome that should be announced before the Autumn statement.  He confirmed that match funding had been put aside if successful.

Mr C Robson asked if the LUF round 1 had been successful.

P Darby responded that Durham County Council had received £20 million for a raft of schemes in the Bishop Auckland constituency that was on track to be spent. 

Mr I Rudd questioned if the EfW (energy from waste) project at Teeside had gone ahead, what were the time scales and had there been any implications with logistical transport to it.

P Darby replied that DCC already transported waste to Teesside with the contract due to conclude at the end of 2024/25 that gave the opportunity to look for a new regional solution for efficiency. The EfW was progressing well with planning in place, procurement underway but there were issues with North Powergrid in how to physically connect to grid that had caused the delay which would be worked through. 

Resolved:

That the report be agreed.