Approved: 2nd March 2023
| Area | Risk(s) identified | Risk Level (H/M/L) | Potential Impact (H/M/L) | Management / Control of Risk | Review / Action required |
| Assets | |||||
| 2 bus shelters 4 notice boards Cow springer Bird’s nest spring Double cradle swing Verso roundabout Navis stand-on seesaw Castle tower & slide Roll-on log 3 x Defibrillators 2 x benches 2 x picnic tables Office equipment Lengthsman equipment Solar lights | Protection of physical assets | L | M | Insurance; defibrillator is locked | Annual insurance and regular monitoring of property |
| Security of above assets | Weather, fire and / or vandalism | L | M | Maintenance when necessary | |
| Maintenance of above assets | Inadequate maintenance of buildings etc | L | L | Contingency funding; Community Heartbeat Trust provides serviceability checks for defibrillator; defib manufacturer supports the service for 7-8 years | Regular inspection; review when defib manufacturer support expires (Sept 2024) |
| Insurance | Inadequate cover or over-insurance increasing costs unnecessarily | L | M | Annual review of insurance with brokers; annual review of asset values | Maintain existing procedures |
| Finance | |||||
| Precept | Overspend of operational budget and/or inaccurate setting of Precept level realising demand on Reserves. | L | M | Budget and Precept considered by Council each year. Sound budgetary control. Expenditure considered at every meeting | Maintain existing procedures |
| Bank & banking | Bank errors and/or inadequate checks leading to financial irregularities. | L | M | Regular bank reconciliation | Maintain existing procedures |
| Financial controls & records | Inadequate records leading to financial irregularities | L | M | Internal audit (and external where applicable) presented to Council; finance considered at every meeting | Maintain existing procedures |
| Computer records | Loss of data through system error, theft, flooding or fire | L | H | Back-up on completion of all entries | Monthly back-up to finance software kept on ‘cloud’ |
| Cash | Loss of income or unforeseen major expenditure leading to cash flow problems | L | L | Ensure adequate reserves; ensure adequate insurance cover | Maintain existing procedures |
| Cash | Loss through theft or dishonesty | L | L | Very little / no cash held | Maintain insurance |
| Budget | Inadequate budget preparation leading to inability to fulfill obligations | L | M | Few obligations; income and expenditure considered at every council meeting | Maintain oversight |
| Tenders | Best value not achieved | L | L | Best practice procedures followed | Maintain existing procedures |
| Payments | Goods not supplied but invoiced. Invoices incorrect. Invoices unpaid. | L | M | All invoices recorded and filed on receipt. Invoices checked for accuracy and for receipt of goods and services. Two signatories on internet banking. List of payments presented to full Council monthly. | Maintain existing procedures |
| Cheque books | Loss of cheques; fraudulent use | L | H | Cheque books kept in safe place; cheques signed without delay | Wherever possible, write out cheques before meeting |
| Internet banking | Fraudulent use; incorrect payee; inadequate online security | M | H | Two-step signatory & authorisation process online; online banking checks payee details; those using internet banking have anti-virus & security controls in place | Maintain existing procedures; check with auditor |
| Receipts | Services provided by Council but not paid for | L | L | No services supplied | N/A |
| Grants | Mismanagement of grant aid powers | L | L | Formal applications only considered by full council. Budgets adhered to. | Maintain existing procedures |
| Salaries | Incorrect payments to staff (rates, NI, tax) | L | M | All expenditure agreed at each meeting. Payments audited annually. | Maintain existing procedures |
| Salaries | Payments not made to HMRC | L | M | Real-time payment facility at HMRC ensures records kept. | Maintain existing procedures |
| Election costs | Inability to meet costs | L | L | Provision made in budget annually | Maintain existing procedures |
| VAT | Errors in calculation; payments not made to HMRC | L | L | Comply with HMRC regulations. Annual returns to be made. Internal audit. | Maintain existing procedures |
| Annual Return | Inability to conduct year end on time; not submitted on time | L | L | Book annual return early | Maintain existing procedures |
| Liability | |||||
| Third parties | Risks to third party, property or individuals | L | M | Public & Products liability insurance in place (limit of indemnity £6m); Council in 3-year LTA with insurer | Insurance cover to be reviewed annually |
| Staff | Compliance with employment law | L | M | Employer Liability insurance in place (limit of indemnity £10m) | Insurance cover to be reviewed annually |
| All personnel | Health & safety matters | M | M | Health & safety policy in place | Maintain existing procedures |
| Parish lengthsman | Risks to third party, property or individuals | M | M | Council covered by separate public liability insurance if lengthsman found to be negligent; protective clothing to be worn at all times; warning signs to be erected in advance of work; training certificate required for powered equipment; carry mobile phone or advise clerk on location and contact on return; general training on work within the highway; lengthsman is Chapter 8 trained | Parish council elects to provide public liability indemnity to provide cover for claims up to a value of £5m. |
| Defibrillator | Risks to individuals through incorrect use | H | H | Training provided to users. Calling 999 and taking instructions from the ambulance service will automatically cover you under their insurances, according to Community Heartbeat Trust | Legal advice to be sought where required |
| Legal | Conduct of council business is ultra vires | M | L | Clerk to verify legal position for any new proposal | Legal advice to be sought where required |
| Flooding | Risk of flooding to properties if maintenance work is not carried out effectively or unable to be carried out | L | L | Lengthsperson trained by DCC | Regular monitoring by councillors in consultation with the lengthsperson |
| Administration | |||||
| Councillor propriety | Incomplete register of interests | M | L | Regular reminder to members | Maintain existing procedures |
| Councillor propriety | Failure to declare interests | M | L | Regular reminder to members; declarations of interest presented at each council meeting | Maintain existing procedures |
| Councillor / staff propriety | Breach of confidentiality | M | L | Regular reminder to members / staff | Maintain existing procedures |
| Reports & records | Improper and untimely reporting of meetings via minutes | L | L | Council to meet monthly to receive and approve minutes of meetings Minutes to be made available on website and on notice boards within 5 working days of a meeting where possible. | Maintain existing procedures |