Archived decisions

Hampshire County Council

Cabinet

24 September 2007

Strategic Risk Management and Business Continuity

Report of the Chief Executive

Amended decision

Item 14

Contact: Peter Andrews, ext. 01962 847309, [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 The following decisions were made:

That the Cabinet, subject to further liaison with Executive Members, as required, to receive comments in order to fine tune what is a working document to be reviewed and updated regularly in consultation with the Cabinet:

    (a) approved the Policy, Strategy and Performance Framework for Risk Management 2007-2010

    (b) approved the introduction of a Corporate Risk Register linked to the Corporate Business Plan

    (c) approved the Business Continuity Management Policy and Strategy

    (d) any further comments by the Cabinet to be incorporated and the appropriate action to be taken

2. Reason

2.1 The County Council's risk management arrangements are designed to ensure the right balance between innovation & change on the one hand, and the avoidance of shocks and crises on the other. Managing the risks faced by the County Council in a systematic and efficient way is vital to the delivery of services that offer value for money, Outcome MP 1 in the Corporate Business Plan. The provision of robust business continuity arrangements form part of the way that the County Council manages its risk and is included in Outcome 1.6 of the Corporate Business Plan, "Hampshire County Council is prepared in the event of a major emergency/disaster and has adequate contingency arrangements to ensure the continued delivery of vital services.

3. Other options considered and rejected

3.1 The framework developed for Risk Management has been based on best practice, both from the private and public sectors. Less robust systems

were considered but rejected as being incapable of delivering the maximum business benefits and meeting the detailed requirements of the Audit Commission outlined in the Use of Resources assessment.

3.2 The framework for Business Continuity that the County Council has developed follows the system outlined in the British Standard, BS 25999-1:2006. Less robust approaches were considered but rejected as not being fit to meet the requirements laid on the County Council by the Civil Contingencies Act 2004.

4. Conflicts of interest declared by the decision maker or other Executive Member consulted - none.

5. Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee - not applicable

6. Reason(s) for the matter being dealt with if urgent - not applicable

Approved by: Date:
Councillor T.K. Thornber, CBE - Chairman