This meeting of the Audit and Risk Management Panel was scheduled to review several of Royal Borough of Greenwich's financial and risk management policies, including the Annual Governance Statement 2023/24, the Strategic Risk Register, and the Internal Audit Charter 2024/25. The panel was also scheduled to note a report on the performance of the Internal Audit and Anti-Fraud team between April and June 2024.

Medium Term Financial Strategy

The panel was scheduled to consider the Royal Borough of Greenwich's Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS). The MTFS was included as a risk because of insufficient government funding combined with inability to make savings quickly and/or safely, and also because of potential significant increase in demand led services. The report noted that the Council set a balanced budget in 2024/25, built in a risk allowance of around 10% to the budget, and is increasing the frequency with which budgets are monitored.

Demand for School Places

The panel was also scheduled to discuss the demand for school places in the Borough. The risk of insufficient school places, specifically specialist SEN school places (including residential) to meet demand was identified. Several causes of the risk were outlined including an increase in the number of children with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHC Plans) presenting with additional complex needs, insufficient central government SEND funding to meet the growing demand for school places, and delays in the delivery of capital projects and approval of new academies and free schools. The report noted that the Council is developing a whole system approach to falling rolls and demand for SEND provision and that there will be regular liaison with the Department for Education (DfE).

Cyber Security & Data Breaches

The panel was scheduled to review a report on Cyber Security & Data Breaches. The report stated that the risk is an event/attack that affects the security or availability of the council's network or associated systems, and gave several possible causes, including IT infrastructure failure, Malware/ransomware attacks, and lack of control on the activities of third parties who have access to the Council's systems. The report highlighted that there is 24/7 cyber monitoring in place, mandatory cyber security awareness training has been implemented for staff, and that a new Network Detection and Remediation service is being evaluated.

Achieving Carbon Neutral by 2030

The panel was scheduled to note that Royal Borough of Greenwich aims to be carbon neutral by 2030. The report highlighted that this is a significant risk because the estimated funding required by the council and other organisations to achieve this target is £1.6bn. The report states that all Directorates will assess the specific climate risks that could impact service delivery and develop Business Continuity Plans (BCP) to ensure continuous service delivery to residents and BCPs will be prioritised. It will be continuously updated in line with changes to climate science, delivery of services and available funds. The report also highlights that the council will issue communications to stakeholders to keep them informed and encourage action on climate change, and that Service Capacity Reviews will be carried out to assess each service's capacity to deliver their actions in the Carbon Neutral Plan.

Business Continuity, Emergency Planning

The panel was scheduled to consider Royal Borough of Greenwich's emergency planning. The report suggested that RBG’s emergency planning should ensure that it has the ability to respond when tested and that appropriate Business Continuity Plans are required to ensure that safeguards and contingency measures are in place to ensure the continuity of services following an incident. The report highlighted the Council's Emergency Planning and Business Continuity Management Strategy and noted that an annual review of this strategy was planned.

Health & Safety, Compliance and Wellbeing Procedures

The panel was scheduled to review the council's Health & Safety, Compliance and Wellbeing Procedures. It was noted in the report that there is a new Corporate Health and Safety Plan being rolled out to standardise and improve directorate controls, and that a corporate Cautionary Contact Register is being introduced to help managers reduce risk to staff when dealing with residents who pose a risk to their officers' safety. The report highlights the Council's lone worker policy and its performance dashboard on the position of Health & Safety compliance.

Key Strategic Partnerships and Supply Chain Security

The panel was scheduled to discuss the security of the council's supply chain. It was suggested in the report that in the current economic climate, the businesses the council partners with to deliver key services (including construction) are at risk of failure potentially with significant impact on outcomes for the Council and our residents. The report highlighted that new contract standing orders that enhance contract management requirements were agreed by Full Council on 26 June 2024, and that contract management training will be rolled out across the Royal Borough of Greenwich.

Loss of Life and/or Injury Through Lack of Corporate Estate Building Safety

The panel was scheduled to note that a lack of or poor building maintenance of the corporate estate could result in loss of life or injury to occupiers, residents, visitors, employees or contractors. The report highlighted that DRES is using Concerto database to capture all maintenance and compliance information in one place. Significant time and resources have been invested into ensuring this system captures relevant and as far as is reasonably practicable, accurate information of the corporate estate. A dashboard has been produced and is reviewed regularly. It was also noted that leases and/or occupational agreements with third parties using corporate buildings are being reviewed and that the Council will be launching a Compliance Helpdesk and developing a building compliance dashboard.

Loss of Life and injury through lack of residential building safety

The panel was scheduled to note that the Royal Borough must ensure that Council residential properties are safe and be able to assure itself that the maintenance regime is comprehensive and effective. The report highlighted that Teams Enterprise will enable the monitoring of asbestos inspections, that the Propellor system monitors Fire Risk Assessments and that Northgate will be used for the retention of tenancy and property details. It was also noted that a shared cross boundary contract is in place with Lewisham Council to ensure fire safety work can be undertaken and that an external audit by Savills has been scheduled.

Serious Injury or Death of a Vulnerable Adult

The panel was scheduled to consider the risk of death of, or serious injury to an adult. The report noted that the Council has a comprehensive set of safeguarding procedures that are used across London and that there is a clear set of procedures in place for Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. It was also noted that there is ongoing preparation work for an upcoming inspection by the Care Quality Commission.

Compliance with New Procurement Legislation

The panel was scheduled to discuss the council's compliance with new procurement legislation. The report highlighted the fact that following the UK's departure from the European Union, the Government has implemented new legislation that requires the Royal Borough of Greenwich to change how it manages procurement, including the NHS Provider Selection Regime which came into force on 01 January 2024 and The Procurement Act 2023 which comes into force on 28 October 2024. The report suggested that procurement may be delayed as a result of the implementation of the new legislation and noted that the council has purchased a new upgraded eProcurement System and is restructuring and recruiting to new posts in its Procurement Team.

Government Welfare Legislation – Impact on Service Delivery

The panel was scheduled to discuss the impact of Government Welfare Legislation on the delivery of Council services. The report highlighted the risks of increased demand on council resources and potential increases in rent arrears in all housing sectors leading to more homelessness as a result of changes in Government legislation, such as changes to the tax regime for buy to let properties, the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, and the Home Office and Border Agency's response to the War in Ukraine.

Preventable Incident to the Wellbeing of a Child

The panel was scheduled to discuss the risk of a preventable incident to the wellbeing of a child. The report highlighted that Royal Borough of Greenwich promotes and delivers effective safeguarding of children through multi-agency working and noted that Safeguarding practice reviews, robust front door arrangements through the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH), and the Ofsted Inspection Framework are helping to mitigate this risk.

Capacity-Workforce Planning

The panel was scheduled to review a report on the council's Capacity-Workforce Planning. The report highlighted that as a large multi-function organisation, the council needs to be able to deliver a diverse range of services and major projects. The report identified several potential causes of risk in this area, such as the failure to recruit, retain and develop a fit for purpose workforce, an aging workforce and lack of succession planning, and failure to deliver on equality, diversity and inclusion. The report noted that a review of the Council's Workforce Strategy is being conducted.

Government Welfare Legislation – Impact on Income Collection

The panel was scheduled to review a report on the impact of Government Welfare Legislation on the Council's ability to collect income. The report noted that the council needs to collect income from residents to maintain/meet its budget obligations to resource the delivery of Council services. The report highlighted that the council will meter and bill heat tariffs and a new collection regime and that it will be undertaking a Hardship Fund review.

Internal Audit and Anti-Fraud – Performance Report April 2024 to June 2024

Finally, the panel was scheduled to note a report on the performance of the Internal Audit and Anti-Fraud team between April and June 2024. This report contained a summary of performance against the 2024/25 Internal Audit Plan, information on anti-fraud activities undertaken during the quarter, and details of the partnership with the London Borough of Bromley for the provision of a fraud investigation service. The report highlighted that Internal Audit are reviewing the methodology by which it reports recommendation implementation to the panel.

Internal Audit Charter 2024/25

The panel was scheduled to note that the annual review of the Internal Audit Charter had been completed. The document defines the nature, role, responsibility, status and authority of Internal Audit within the Royal Borough of Greenwich. It was noted that no changes to the charter were required.