Croft Parish Council

Risk Management Controls

Approved January 2014

The following is a detailed list of those areas of activity to which the Parish Council shall have regard to ensure that risks to the Parish Council are minimised. This list covers all activities of the Parish Council and identifies the measures that should be taken, on an ongoing basis, to reduce the opportunity for failures in the process or risks to the Council’s assets or its employees.

Means of reducing the level of risk

Establishing clear policies, procedures and regulations to govern the operation of the Council’s business and review their adequacy periodically:

a / Standing Orders of the Council
b / Code of Conduct

Legal compliance and keeping abreast of changes in the legal framework and government policy affecting parish councils:

a / Ensure knowledge of the legal and operational framework for parish councils
b / Ensure access to up date information and advice through the following:-
1 / Membership of the National Association of Local Councils
2 / Membership of the Society of Local Council Clerks
3 / Membership of the Leics. & Rutland Association of Parish & Local Councils
4 / Membership of the Rural Community Council
5 / Professional publications eg. “The Clerk”, “Councils Direct”, etc.
6 / Maintaining liaison with Leicestershire County Council & Blaby District Council
7 / Facilitating training of both members and the Clerk
8 / Availability of specialist textbooks eg. “Local Council Administration”

Observance of best practice financial procedures:

a / Effective and accurate record keeping
b / Regular reporting of income and expenditure
c / Regular financial status reports
d / Appointment of independent internal auditor
e / Appointment of approved external auditor
f / Ensuring availability of NALC Practitioners Guide

Reducing Council’s financial risks:

a / Maintenance of insurance in respect of employers liability
b / Maintenance of insurance against third party claims
c / Maintenance of insurance against misappropriation/misuse of funds, theft etc.
d / Operating effective banking practice and cheque control

Effective contract procedures and controls:

a / Assessment and appropriateness of items to be purchased
b / Effective approval systems for placing of contracts
c / Implementation of tendering procedures when appropriate or cost effective
d / Implementation of appropriate insurance cover for additional installations or assets

Elected members’ compliance with legislative requirements and appropriate support to enable them to carry out the duties of their office:

a / Ensure eligibility for office
b / Ensure Declaration of Acceptance of Office is signed
c / Ensure Register of Members Interests is completed
d / Ensure issue of appropriate documents eg. Standing Orders, Code of Conduct, etc.
e / Ensure systems are in place to advise members of, procedures, practices, central &
local government issues, legislative requirements etc. and changes thereto
f / Ensure sound advice to members at meetings of the Council
g / Ensure clear documentation for meetings
h / Ensure members are advised of training opportunities as they arise

Staff recruitment:

a / Equal opportunities procedures are applied in recruitment
b / Clear recruitment documentation is available - job description, person specification etc
c / Letters of appointments and contracts of employment are issued
d / Employee performance is monitored
e / Training is provided as required

Health and Safety

a / Ensure the safety of Council play equipment through safety inspections eg RoSPA.
b / Ensure safety of other installations through inspection, maintenance and repair
c / Ensure compliance of equipment with British Standards, H & S Regulations etc.
d / Ensure all operatives are properly trained
e / Ensure all operatives are working in a safe environment
f / Ensure systems are in place to identify risks to individual employees

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