| SUBJECT | RISK(S) IDENTIFIED | RISK LEVEL H/M/L* | MANAGEMENT/CONTROL OF RISK | ACTION |
| Business continuity | Risk of Council not being able to continue its business due to an unexpected or tragic circumstance, or continued absence of a quorum. | L | In the event of the Clerk being indisposed, the Chair (or other nominated member) may perform the necessary duties. If required, ERYC would provide advice and possibly assistance. In an extreme, ERYC may take responsibility. | The Chair and vice chair to have an update to all log in details and passwords for clerk@ email account, website and other essential accounts. BC Policy agreed 5/05/26 |
| | Loss of paper/electronic records | L | Financial accounts are backed up in SCRIBE using the cloud. Approved minutes and background reports are published on the website. All key documents are on the clerk@ system cloud back up by host GetExtra. Paper copies of key governance and financial documents also are stored. | Existing procedure adequate |
| Income | Adequacy of precept for Council to carry out its statutory duties | L | The annual budget review and agreement leads to demand for precept amount. Monthly monitoring against budget presented to Council at each meeting | Existing procedure adequate |
| | Precept requirements not submitted to ERYC by deadline | L | Council minute contains Council resolution; Chair able to follow up with ERYC if necessary | Existing procedure adequate |
| | Precept amount not received from ERYC | L | RFO to confirm receipt and included in monthly financial report. | Existing procedure adequate |
| Financial records | Financial irregularities | M | Quarterly monitoring against agreed budget generated via SCRIBE | Existing procedure adequate |
| | Misuse of funds | L | Financial Regulations (approved July 2024) on website specify requirements of Council. | Existing procedure adequate |
| Financial records Continued: | Bank errors | M | Regular financial reports presented to the Council, including monthly bank reconciliation agreed by the chair/vice chair. All payments authorised in accordance with Financial Regulations. Two signatories required for each payment. | Existing procedure adequate. Review Financial Regulations annually. |
| Bank and banking | | L | Always ensure, 3 councillors can act as bank signatories for payments etc. and 2 signatories required to authorise payments | Further signatory being added to Unity Trust account June 2026 |
| | | L | RFO reconciles all bank statements against council records monthly | Existing procedure adequate |
| | Imposition of bank charges | L | RFO checks adequate bank funds prior to payments, and challenges charges where errors made by bank | Existing procedure adequate |
| Cash | Loss through theft or dishonesty | L | No petty cash held. Cash handling rare. Any cash received immediately banked. | Existing procedure adequate |
| Reserves – continguency | Adequacy | M | Considered at budget setting; monitored by RFO throughout year | Existing procedure adequate |
| Reserves – earmarked | Adequacy | M | Considered at budget setting; monitored by RFO throughout year | Existing procedure adequate |
| Reporting and auditing | Information communication | L | Monthly accounts presented to Council at all ordinary meetings, including performance against budgets. | Existing procedure adequate |
| | Compliance | M | Independent internal auditor appointed. Annual reports detailing compliance with audit regulations presented to Council. AGAR published on website. | Existing procedure adequate |
| | Transparency | M | Financial information – monthly accounts and payment lists – published on Council website | Existing procedure adequate |
| Direct costs and overhead expenses | Goods not supplied but billed | L | Procurement undertaken in accordance with Financial Regulations. RFO follows up on all orders. | Existing procedure adequate |
| | Invoice incorrectly calculated or recorded | L | RFO checks all invoices against orders prior to payment | Existing procedure adequate |
| Direct costs and overhead expenses continued: | Cheque payable incorrect (excessive or to wrong party) | L | Signatories initial cheque stubs and invoice slips and check through BACs authorisation to confirm accuracy | Existing procedure adequate |
| Salaries, pensions and associated costs | Salary paid incorrectly | L | Salaries paid by BACs. Autela Payroll Services calculate and manage PAYE. Clerk checks via Form 32. | Existing procedure adequate |
| | Wrong deduction of NI and Tax | L | Payments verified by Autela Payroll | Existing procedure adequate |
| Employees | Loss of Clerk | L | Hours, health, stress, training, long term sick, early departure – risk monitored and managed as appropriate via Personnel Committee | Agreement with a local Parish to share clerks in an emergancy |
| | Fraud by employee | M | Risk incorporated in insurance cover. Other financial checks as described above. Chair to check the insurance each year for cover. | Existing procedure adequate |
| | Actions taken by staff | M | Relevant training, resources and access to professional advice made available to Clerk and Handyperson if required. | Existing procedure adequate |
| VAT | VAT claims | L | VAT managed through SCRIBE. VAT reclaim quarterly or more frequently if amounts are larger. Claim made online from HMRC | Existing procedure adequate |
| | Illegal activity or payments | M | All activity and payments within powers of Parish Council to be resolved and minuted at Council meetings. Relevant procedures established in Standing Orders and Financial Regulations. | Existing procedure adequate. Standing Orders and Financial Regulations will be reviewed by Sept 2026 |
| Legal powers | Accidents on council property | L | Council do not own any property | Existing procedure adequate. |
| Risk of legal action | Slander etc | L | Communications on behalf of the Council concentrated through Clerk and Councillor responsible for Communications – relevant training etc. made available. Communication and Media policy in place. Covered by insurance policy | Existing procedure adequate |
| Procurement | | L | New suppliers checked at Companies House (if applicable) and bank details checked by the Clerk and one Councillor. Procurement in line with Financial Regulations | Existing procedure adequate |
| Risk of Supplier Fraud | | M | Procurement as per Financial Regulations which are reviewed annually. | Existing procedure adequate. Financial Regulations reviewed by September 2026 |
| Assets | Register | L | Assets logged in register on acquisition and reviewed as required. ICT Assets properly decommissioned and disposed of by ERYC who issue appropriate documentation New assets are logged on the register when purchased/acquired. Scribe asst register linked to accounts | Existing procedure adequate |
| | Inspection | L | All external assets to be inspected annually to inform maintenance programme and ensure health and safety | Process to be updated by Sept 2026 |
