Risk Management Policy
EAST KEAL PARISH COUNCIL
RISK MANAGEMENT POLICY DOCUMENT
Risk management is the process whereby the Parish Council can methodically address the risk associated with what they do and the services which they provide. The focus of good risk management is to identify what can go wrong determine control measures to mitigate the risk and to be able to effectively manage risk should it occur.
As a Parish Council working closely with many community groups clear, concise and effective communication should underpin all interactions. The RISK of ineffective and/or muddled communication has the potential to limit our ability to achieve desired targets (see below). Additionally it could alienate others, result in low morale, create conflict, lead to a lack of teamwork and limit people’s ability to optimise performance.
The management of risk is ongoing and should underpin all interactions, it is about ensuring the achievement of objectives set by the council to deliver high quality public services. The failure to manage risks effectively can be expensive in terms of litigation, reputation and the ability to achieve desired targets.
All Councillors are ultimately responsible for risk management because risks threaten the achievement of policy objectives. As a minimum, at least twice each year Councillors should:
- take steps to identify and update their record of key risks facing the council;
• evaluate the potential consequences to the council if an event identified as a risk takes place;
• decide upon appropriate measures to avoid, reduce or control the risk or its consequences; and
• record any conclusions or decisions reached.