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formally approved by the Corporate Leadership Team prior to updating the risk register. A comprehensive suite of mitigation activities was aligned to each risk within the safeguard system. A summary of risks exceeding tolerance now included an assessment of how quickly it was anticipated that the risk would be reduced to an acceptable level (threat) or exploited to achieve maximum benefits (opportunity). This was detailed in Appendix 1c of the report. At the last meeting Members requested additional information to support the Corporate Risk register in terms of timescales. It was reported that this had been taken into consideration and the summary of risks exceeding tolerance now included an assessment of how quickly it was anticipated that a risk would reduce to an acceptable level or exploited to achieve maximum benefit. Also, an analysis of all risks that had been on the risk register for longer than 12 months (as of 28 th February 2013) had now been included as part of the risk changes report. This was detailed at Appendix 1d of the report. Members were advised that potential new risks under consideration included:- - Potential increase in employer (and employee) National Insurance contributions as part of the introduction of a new flat rate pension from April 2017; and - Opportunities to improve the way we evaluate policies, initiatives and activities. It was reported that a Member Training and Development Session on ‘Risk Awareness’ would be taking place at the rise of the Authority Meeting on 18 th April 2013 which all Members were encouraged to attend. Members raised questions on the items listed in the Corporate Risk Register which were answered accordingly. Recommended: That the contents of the report and comments raised, be noted. 28. GREATER MANCHESTER FIRE & RESCUE AUTHORITY VALUE FOR MONEY COMPARISON REPORT Consideration was given to a report of the County Fire Officer and Chief Executive which presented the outcomes from the Value for Money research project undertaken during 2012. The project was conducted to ensure GMFRS continued to compare its performance against that of other brigades and also to identify notable practice in the absence of the Comprehensive Area Assessment (CAA) and Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPI) regimes that were disbanded by the Government in May 2010. It was reported that a project team was commissioned to analyse various factors including the demographics of the Metropolitan family groups, quality of information within performance management systems and evaluations from
local interventions that had been used to reduce risks. A copy of the main report was attached as Appendix A of the report for Members’ reference. The Director of Finance and Technical Services referred to the ‘Safeside’ Initiative within West Midlands Fire and Rescue Service. He reported that the Policy Standing Sub-Committee at its meeting on 7 th February 2013 had approved the acquisition of a site at Wellington Street, Bury to develop as an Operational Training site. This development would provide new training facilities to improve real fire training for firefighters under Development Goal 20 of the Corporate Plan and would include similar facilities to the ‘Safeside’ Initiative. A visit to allow all Members of the Authority to view the new site would be arranged in due course. Members welcomed the informative report and raised a number of questions and comments on its content that were answered accordingly. In conclusion, Councillor George Wilson requested additional information relating to a current planning application that had been submitted to Salford City Council regarding fire consultation. The Protection Manager reported that he would answer this query outside the meeting. Recommended: That: 1. The content of the report, comments raised and GMFRS actions to achieve continuous improvement, be noted. 2. The continued disparity of approaches Metropolitan Fire and Rescue Services use to collate key data, be noted. 3. A visit to allow all Members of the Authority to view the site at Wellington Street, Bury be arranged in due course. 29. EXTERNAL AUDIT PROGRESS REPORT - FEBRUARY 2013 The External Audit Progress Report was presented to the Committee by Andrew North, Manager from Grant Thornton UK LLP. The purpose of this report was to provide the Committee with a report on progress in delivering Grant Thornton’s responsibilities as the Authority’s external auditors. The report also highlighted the key emerging national reports and developments which might be of interest to the Committee and included information on the following audit areas:- - 2012/13 Audit fee letter; - 2012/13 Audit Plan; - Interim Accounts audit; - Value for Money audit work; - 2012/13 Final Accounts audit; - 2012/13 Annual Audit Letter.
Page 1: MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE AUDIT,
Page 5: Authority discharge its duty to pro

Minutes Template - Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service ...

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