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Parish Council Risk Assessment

SOUTH PETHERWIN PARISH COUNCIL

RISK ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT 2020/21

AreaRiskLevelControl (and recommended improvements)  Comments and Actions taken
AssetsProtection of physical assetsMSee Insurance 
 Security of buildings, equipment etcMToilets are checked and cleaned weeklyWeekly cleaning contract of toilets and bus shelter in place. Maintenance issues reported to the Parish Council. Record of cleaning sheet on the inside of each toilet door.
 Maintenance of buildings etcMBuildings currently maintained on an ad hoc basis.  Funds available in the precept for unexpected repairs.
     
InsurancePublic Liability (statutory)MContinue existing cover (£5M) 
 Employer’s Liability (statutory)MContinue existing cover (£10M) 
 MoneyMContinue existing cover (£250,000) 
 Fidelity GuaranteeMContinue existing cover (£25,000) 
 Property & All RisksMBuildings (Toilets/Bus shelters) insured. Value increased annually by RPI.  Other Assets/Equipment – Play Area equipment insured by School, Parish Pump/noticeboards/telephone box insured by Council. 
 Loss of RevenueMNot covered 
 Libel & SlanderMContinue existing cover (£250,000) 
 Personal AccidentMContinue existing cover (£500,000) 
 Legal ExpensesMContinue existing cover (£50,000) 
     
AdministrationLoss of Data on PC due to system faultHContinue back up of data on weekly basis & HMRC submissions.USB stick with Councillor – 4 weeks out of date at worst.   Hard drive backed up weekly.
 Agency AdviceMContinue with CALC & SLCC membership. Membership of CALC and SLCC continues
     
Accounting & FinanceNon-standard and/or non-compliant records kept.HContinue to require adequate, complete and statutory financial records and accounts, ensuring complete transparency.Any change in payee details must be brought to the attention of the Council.
 Non-compliance with statutory deadlines for the completion/approval/submission of accounts and other financial returns.HContinue to ensure that all accounts and returns are completed and submitted by the deadlines. 
 Non-compliance with internal audit requirementsHAppoint internal auditor 
 BankingHSums of more than running costs transferred to high street bank savings account with.Consideration of moving to online banking.
 Financial controls and recordsHMonthly report to Council of bank balances, income, expenditure.  Monthly reconcile statements with Cash Book.  Quarterly bank reconciliation prepared by Clerk, reported to Council and signed by Chairman and RFO. Two Councillor signatories on cheques/transfers. Internal and external audit.  Quarterly bank reconciliation.
 Comply with VAT Regulations  MVAT payments and claims calculated by Clerk. Internal and external auditor checks.Annual claim to HMRC.
 Sound budgeting to annual precept  MDetailed breakdowns and explanations for precept provided with forecast for next 3 years based previous year spend, future knowns and budgeting for unknowns. 
 Complying with borrowing restrictions  LNo new borrowing likely at present.   
 Illegal expenditureMContinue to ensure all expenditure is within legal powers. 
     
EmploymentComply with Employment LawMMembership of CALC & SLCC Clerk has contractual agreement. Review compliance with Employment regulations regularly.Signed contract for the footpath cutting provided for the LMP.
 Comply with HMRC requirementsHRegular advice from HMRC. Internal and external auditor carry out annual checks. 
 Safety of Staff and visitorsMH&S risk assessment checks to be made as required for events/activities.  Checks including electrical checks to be made of toilets as legally required.  Self- employed people to have own liability insurance.Electrical PAT test checks to be undertaken. Public liability insurance kept on file for cleaning and LMP contract.  
 Loss of services of Clerk     Access to emails, tele-phone and documents.       Clerk’s functions and processes written down.LImmediately advertise any vacancy and request help from CALC and others.   Council-owned laptop & A3 printer.   SLCC has detailed function & process document available and is on hand to answer any queries.Chairman has access to passwords. Inventory of council owned equipment.            
Legal LiabilityEnsuring activities are within legal powers  MClerk clarifies legal position on any new proposal.  Legal advice to be sought where necessary.   
 Proper and timely reporting via the Minutes  MCouncil meets once a month and receives and approves minutes of meetings. Minutes made available to press and public via the web site.   
 Proper document controlMAll documents stored in Clerk’s home.  Key historic documents (Minutes) to be stored in County Hall Records at regular intervals.  Toilet deeds formally registered with Land Registry. All minutes are digitised and are stored on the hard drive.
Councillor propriety  Registers of Interests and gifts and hospitality in place  HRegister of interests present and completed at each Council meeting. Check changes and any gifts or hospitality to be included as an agenda item in May and October meetings.  To be included in meetings.