Risk Management Scheme & Executive Summary of Risk Management Policy

Risk Management Scheme & General Risk Assessment of Council Operations: The aim of the Scheme and Risk assessment is to identify and mitigate all risks to individuals, assets and public money across all Council operations.

Full Council is responsible for risk management, while the Town Clerk has day-to-day, operational responsibility.

Factor Council Action & Tools
Identification of Risk Inspections by staff, consultants, independent inspectors; risk assessments; incident/accident reports.
Risk Assessment Formal assessment, with probability and potential impact measured as low, medium or high.
Mitigation measures Policies & procedures; training; inspections; maintenance; insurance; financial internal control.
Insurance Review of cover adequacy at least annually.
Review Review of Risk Management Strategic Policy, Risk Management Scheme & Risk Assessment at least annually; ad hoc, with changes
in statutory obligations, operations or assets.

Risk Assessment Matrix

Impact: Low (1) Impact: Medium (2) Impact: High (3)
Probability: High (3) 3 6 9
Probability: Medium (2) 2 4 6
Probability: Low (1) 1 2 4

The scores for impact and likelihood are scored as above. Risks scoring 12 and above will be subject to detailed consideration and
preparation of a contingency/action plan to appropriately control the risk.

General Risk Assessment of Council Operations

Area of Operations Risks Risks to Public Money Mitigation Measures Insurance Cover Risk Matrix Level (with effective mitigation in place)
Allotments Personal injury; damage to asset Compensation claims; legal fees Risk assessments; Health & Safety Policy; Tenancy Agreements; staff & councillor inspections; maintenance Public Liability; Employer’s Liability; Legal Expenses 2
Bowling Club Personal injury; fire; damage to asset Compensation claims; repair to damage; Legionella Lease; Risk assessments; Fire Risk Assessment & equipment; Legionella Risk Assessment Public Liability; Buildings; Legal Expenses 2
Car Parks Personal injury; vehicular collision Compensation claims; asset damage Risk assessments; monthly inspections by staff, at least annually by H&S consultant; maintenance; signage Public Liability; Legal Expenses; Site cover 4
Cemetery Personal injury; reputational Compensation claims Risk assessments; annual inspection of memorial integrity Public Liability; Employer’s Liability; Legal Expenses 2
Council Chamber Personal injury; fire; theft Compensation claims; asset damage or loss Risk assessments; Health & Safety Policy; Fire Risk Assessment & equipment; maximum capacity stipulation Public Liability; Employer’s Liability; Buildings; Contents; Legal Expenses 2
Council van Personal injury; vehicular collision; third party injury or damage; reputational Compensation claims; asset damage or loss Risk assessments; Health & Safety Policy; MOT; servicing & maintenance; authorised named drivers Employer’s Liability; Comprehensive Motor; Legal Expenses 4
Finance & Governance Fraud; theft; RFO error; bad debt; reputational Loss of public funds; inadequate precept Internal control:

  • Financial regulations; Financial Risk Assessment
  • Dual signatory bank accounts
  • Monthly reconciliation & Finance Statement submitted to Full Council
  • Internal & external audits; training; mini-internal audit
  • Robust budget monitoring; Reserves Policy
 Fidelity; Personal Indemnity 4
Football Pavilion Personal injury; fire; Legionella Compensation claims; asset damage or loss; repair to damage; Legionella enforcement Lease; Risk assessments; Fire Risk Assessment & equipment; Legionella Risk Assessment Public Liability; Buildings; Legal Expenses 4
Handyperson’s workshop Personal injury; fire; theft Compensation claims; asset damage or loss Risk assessments; Health & Safety Policy; Lone Working Policy; Lone Working alarm app; PPE; training; Fire Risk Assessment
& equipment; PAT testing; COSHH; secure building		 Employer’s Liability; Buildings; Contents; Legal Expenses 4
Library Personal injury; fire; Legionella Personal injury; fire; Legionella enforcement Health & Safety Policy; staff personal alarm system & alarm app; training; risk assessments; Fire Risk Assessment & equipment;
PAT testing; Legionella Risk Assessment		 Public Liability; Employer’s Liability; Buildings; Contents; Legal Expenses 2
Play Areas & Recreation Ground Personal injury; damage to equipment Asset damage or loss Risk assessments; weekly staff inspection; quarterly H&S consultant inspection; annual RoSPA inspection Public Liability; Specialist cover; Legal Expenses 4
Remembrance Parade Personal injury; vehicular incident; reputational Compensation claims Event Risk Assessment; Road Closure stewarding; liaison with emergency services Public Liability; Legal Expenses 2
Staff absence, especially illness or loss of the Town Clerk Operational inefficiency; failure of internal control; financial error Locum costs on top of sick pay Training of administrative assistant or Deputy; specific Clerk Absence Risk Management Policy (under review) Under review 4–6
Town Clerk’s Office Fire; data loss; theft; personal injury Asset damage or loss; ICO fine; asset or cash loss; compensation claims Fire Risk Assessment & equipment; PAT testing; Data Protection Policy; DPO audits; secure storage & office; Health & Safety Policy;
Lone Working Policy; Lone Working alarm app		 Buildings; Contents; Cyber; Employer’s Liability; Public Liability; Legal Expenses 2

Adopted by Full Council, 12th May 2026
To be reviewed by Full Council 2027