Mark Niblock, Chief Internal Auditor introduced the report of the Director of Resources that provided an update on the Council’s risk management arrangements and areas of risk management focus over the upcoming year.

The report detailed the work of Zurich Municipal to look at the risk appetite across Wirral Council in line with the Government’s Orange Book – Management of Risk, Principles and Concepts, the findings of which would be presented to the Committee. It also detailed the work of a Member Sub-Group to provide more time to review the Corporate Risk Register and associated risk mitigation, as well as further detail on the work to develop and refresh directorate risk registers to align with the draft Wirral Plan 2021-2026.

It was queried whether Policy and Services Committees should include mitigation of risks associated with their area on their work programmes, where it was confirmed that there was already close working relationships between the Chief Internal Auditor and Policy and Services Committees Chair and Spokes to identify risks, but that these arrangements could be developed further. Further clarity was sought on the risks associated with the capitalisation directive, and members were advised this was still being considered by the Director of Resources and an updated Risk Register would be circulated to members in due course.

Resolved – That the report be noted.