Issue - meetings

That the position on the Strategic Risk Register as at the end of quarter 3, 2019/20 be noted.

Decision

That the position on the Strategic Risk Register as at the end of quarter 3, 2019/20 be noted.

Corporate objectives

All. Risk management is an essential part of ensuring that the Council meets all of its corporate objectives

Deputy Section 151 Officer:

This is a Section 151 report and hence S151 comments are included in the body of the report.

Monitoring Officer:

No comments to add to the report.

Advice

Councillor Elliot introduced the report to members. The report has been to Audit committee and they did not raise any material issues.

S Marshall said that the strategic risk register had been prepared in advance of the current coronavirus outbreak and reassured members that it was being dealt with as part of the council’s business continuity and emergency plan. The situation will be kept under review and will look at whether it needs to be included on the risk register. The issue was raised at the last council meeting and DBC are working closely with HCC, the Director of Public Health, the local resilience forum and Public Health England. As a precaution, there has been increased cleaning of The Forum until further notice and a review of arrangements for sheltered housing schemes is underway. The primary focus is on hand washing and personal hygiene; reminders have been placed on screen savers, wipes have been placed on desks alongside tissues in main office area and meeting rooms. Each Assistant Director is working with their Group Managers to keep the business continuity plan under review. Staff have been provided FAQs on the Information Station and have liaised with external contractors and strategic partners to gain assurance on their measures. The approach is calm and measured to avoid creating panic. Members will be kept informed of any changes.

Councillor Banks asked if the message was reaching community centres as they are public facing organisations.

S Marshall said information was being shared with the voluntary sector and would check with the community team to check they are engaging.

Councillor Anderson referred to the cyber-attack risk on the register. Recently Middlesbrough came under a sustained cyber-attack where systems were taken down and asked if the council had learned any lessons.

S Marshall assured members that the plan has been signed off from the National Security Centre.

Councillor G Sutton referred back to coronavirus and asked if wardens of sheltered housing schemes have been given advice on looking after residents.

S Marshall said guidance had been issued to the service from the government and the service is working closely with public health. The government has a four stage plan and currently in the first phase of containment. If instructed to move to the next phase then different arrangements will be put in place.

Recommendations agreed.