The Hertfordshire County Council Audit Committee met to discuss risk management, the adult social care workforce, and internal audit services. The committee agreed to note the changes to risk metrics and the revised list of corporate risks, and also approved an in-year amendment to the internal audit plan. They also received updates on the adult social care workforce and the shared internal audit service.

Here's a more detailed look at the key discussion points:

• [Risk Management Update][02 Risk Management Update Report.pdf]

  The committee discussed the council's corporate risk register, which currently lists 18 risks. Fiona Timms, Risk & Insurance Manager, noted that there had been a replacement risk and changes to risk scoring since the last report. The committee agreed to change the risk matrix to a simpler 5x5 matrix, removing the double weighting of impact on risk scores. The committee discussed the risk ENVHH006 ensuring delivery of new highway service maintenance contract, and Councillor Patel highlighted a few of the things that has changed. Scott, whose last name was not provided, said:

  I think it's a really important challenge that this risk and its scoring is very much driven from where we see things as officers...if the experience from the users and ultimately members are just as much users as our residents of the services, don't feel that that score is currently reflective of the position that is showing, you know, we need to take that back and we would reflect that in the score going forward. The committee agreed to defer deciding on the risk focus report to March until the December meeting when they will have a revised risk register.

• [Risk Focus Report - Adult Social Care Workforce in the Whole Sector][03 Risk Focus Report Adult Social Care Workforce.pdf]

  Lucy Rush, the director of practice and quality for adult care services, presented a report on the strategic risk ACS17, concerning the adult social care workforce across Hertfordshire. The risk is currently assessed as red, reflecting concerns that workforce shortages may compromise the ability to deliver statutory responsibilities and provide safe, effective care. The report noted a national shortage of care workers, with Hertfordshire having approximately 38,200 posts and around 2,200 vacancies. Domiciliary care providers are particularly affected. The committee noted the actions and controls in place to manage the risk, including working with the Hertfordshire Care Providers Association (HCPA), the Herts Good Care Recruitment Campaign, and the Care Professional Academy. The committee also discussed the potential impact of the Home Secretary's announcements regarding indefinite leave to remain and salary requirements on the adult social care workforce. Councillor Roberts reflected on the investment of £155 million into care worker wages since 2019, noting the positive impact on waiting lists and care for vulnerable individuals. Councillor Jacob asked about the cost of replacing staff, and Scott said that from a HR perspective, most recruitments from beginning to end could be in the region of about £3,000 per recruitment.

• [Hertfordshire County Council - SIAS Annual Report][Public reports pack Friday 03-Oct-2025 10.00 Audit Committee.pdf]

  Darren Williams, Head of Shared Internal Audit Service, presented the Shared Internal Audit Service (SIAS) Annual Report. The report reflected on the levels of delivery, shared learning, managing challenges, developing staff, customer service, outcomes, financial performance and future developments. The report noted that 95% of the planned audit days across the partnership were delivered, and 91% of the planned projects were delivered to draft report stage. Councillor Roberts asked if the shared management model has any merit for the future, and Scott responded that the county council and districts have had success in the creation of shared services. The committee noted the report.

• [Hertfordshire County Council - SIAS Progress Report][Public reports pack Friday 03-Oct-2025 10.00 Audit Committee.pdf]

  Ned, whose last name was not provided, presented the SIAS progress report, providing an update on the delivery of the agreed internal audit plan for 25-26. The report covered projects completed, draft reports, and management's progress in implementing audit recommendations. The committee noted the internal audit progress report, the update on the implementation status of outstanding high priority and medium priority recommendations, and approved the proposed in-year amendment relating to a school's audit. Councillor Roberts raised a question about the ability to attract or retain legal officers and enforcement officers, particularly with the new planning regulations.

• Future Work Programme

  The committee noted the future work programme, including the annual governance statement, SAFS progress report, SIAS progress report, risk management update, risk focus report, mid-year report on treasury management services, and the HFSRS annual statement of assurance.