Helen Turner, Risk, Continuity and Compliance Manager introduced the report of the Director of Finance and Investment that provided an update on the Council’s current risk management arrangements, highlighting several key areas of work in the coming year, namely:

• Business Planning and Directorate Risk Registers - With the launch of the Wirral Plan 2025 services were in the process of developing their business plans. The template had been designed so that each Directorate can record their planned activity for the year ahead including actions, key performance indicators, risks and training requirements.

• Programme Management - Work was underway with the Programme Office to improve the risk management arrangements for the Council’s main programmes and projects. A standard template had been adopted which will allow risks to be escalated more easily as well as providing a consistent approach which anyone joining a project would be able to follow. Options for targeted training and awareness sessions for programme and project leads were also being considered.

• Member Risk workshops - A series of member ARMC sub-group workshops had been programmed in through 2020 to look at the different aspects of risk management. Sessions had been booked for the following dates: 5 March, 4 June, 3 September and 2 December 2020.

The Chair requested an update on Wirral Council’s risk and continuity plans in respect of the Corona Virus (COVID-19). TheRisk, Continuity and Compliance Manager informed Members that a tactical group had been established, led by the Director of Public Health, to establish a plan based on Public Health England advice, working with stakeholders, partners and Officers of the Council at different levels to ensure the most appropriate actions were addressed at each stage.

The Chair asked if sufficient resources were being allocated to support to the work required. The Risk, Continuity and Compliance Manager informed that the tactical group had been tasked to ensure this was the case.

The Chair thanked the Officer for her report and support to the Audit and Risk Management Committee over the past year.

Resolved – That the report be noted.