Gorsley & Kilcot Parish Council Risk Management 2025-26

Area

Risk

Initial Level

Control

Final Level

Assets

Protection of physical assets

Low

Assets Insured. Value increased annually by RPI

Low

Maintenance of physical assets

Low

Checks carried out on a quarterly basis

Low

Loss of records

Low

Insurance details & duplicate proof of ownership (if available) kept by Chair along with the Clerk holding a copy.

Low

Finance

Banking

Medium

Financial Stability of Parish Council’s bank accounts checked and minuted annually

Low

Finanacial records

Medium

Four monthly reconciliation prepared by Clerk and checked by Lead Member for Finance and reported to Council. Internal and External audit

Low

Unlawful Expenditure

Low

Payments made by cheque, bacs, direct debit or standing order are subject to authorisation by 2 signatories and are subject to the Council's adopted financial regualtions. All payments are agreed by full council and minuted as agreed before payment being made, if the exact amount of the payment due is unknown then a limit for the expenditure will be agreed and minuted.

Low

Improper payment by cheque

High

Cheques require two signatories. Cheque counterfoil and invoice/other required paperwork in support of the payment

Low

Improper payment by bank transfer

Medium

Bank transfer payments require two signatories. Invoice and other paperwork required in support of payment and must be viewed before payment authorised

 

Comply with Revenue and Customs Regulations

Medium

Use help line when necessary. VAT claims calculated by Clerk and checked by Lead Member for Finance. Internal and External Audit to provide double check.

Low

Finance

Sound budgeting to underline annual precept

Medium

Council receive detailed budgets at the November meeting. Precept derived directly from this. Expenditure against budget reported to Council twice yearly

Low

Precept request not submitted

Low

Minuted and in diary

Low

Wrong Salary paid

Low

Salary decided at Annual appraisal for staff, any changes minuted, if paid by standing order payment is updated with the bank.

Low

Adequacy of General Reserves

Low

Council review general reserves alongside the budget in November of each year, inadequacies can be factored into the budget for the following year.

Low

Adequacy of Earmarked Reserves

Low

Council reviews earmarked reserves alongside the budget in Novemver of each year, inadequacies can be factored into the budget for the following year.

Low

Business Continuity

Risk of Parish Council not being able to
continue its business due to an unexpected
or tragic circumstance

Medium

Paper records stored in locked metal cabinet at Parish Clerk’s office. Older paper records archived with GCC. Files automatically backed up to one-drive

Low

Compliance with Legislation

Risk of failure to comply with Data Protection Act 1998

Low

Council registered as a data controller with the information commissioner. Information maintained and updated as required

Low

Risk of failure to comply with the Freedom of Information Act 2000

Low

Information Commissioner’s Model Publication Scheme for Parish Councils adopted. Information regularly updated on website

Low

Risk of failing to comply with the Employer’s Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969

Low

Employers Liability cover in place under existing Insurance Policy. Insurance requirements reviewed annually to assess adequacy of cover

Low

Compliance with Legislation

Risk of failure to comply with meeting and procedural requirements as required  by the Local Governments Act 1972

Medium

Precedures followed as set out in the Council's Standing Orders. Agendas/Minutes/Statutory documents produced accurately and within required timeframes. Minutes are approved/signed at the following meeting. Documents are appropriately displayed on noticeboards/council website. Register of interests for each member maintained and regualarly reviewed. Declaration of interest item on each agenda. Complaints procedure in place.

Low