Agenda Document Pack - Audit, Risk and Scrutiny Board - 03/11/2025
Renfrewshire Council · 3 November 2025
Back to Audit, Risk and Scrutiny Board — 3 November 2025 and its agenda
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Notice of Meeting and Agenda Audit, Risk and Scrutiny Board Date Time Venue Monday, 03 November 2025 15:00 Council Chambers (Renfrewshire), Council Headquarters, Renfrewshire House, Cotton Street, Paisley, PA1 1AN MARK CONAGHAN Head of Corporate Governance Membership Councillor Andy Doig (Convener): Councillor Janis McDonald (Depute Convener): Councillor Jennifer Adam: Councillor Gillian Graham: Councillor Lisa-Marie Hughes: Councillor Robert Innes: Councillor James MacLaren: Councillor Will Mylet: Councillor Ben Smith: Members of the Press and Public Members of the press and public wishing to attend the meeting should report to the customer service centre where they will be met and directed to the meeting. Hybrid Meeting Please note that this meeting is scheduled to be held in the Council Chambers. However, it is a hybrid meeting and arrangements have been made for members to join the meeting remotely should they wish. Webcasting of Meeting This meeting will be filmed for live or subsequent broadcast via the Council’s internet site – at the start of the meeting the Convener will confirm if all or part of the meeting is being filmed. To find the webcast please navigate to https://renfrewshire.public-i.tv/core/portal/home
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Further Information This is a meeting which is open to members of the public. A copy of the agenda and reports for this meeting will be available for inspection prior to the meeting at the Customer Service Centre, Renfrewshire House, Cotton Street, Paisley and online at http://renfrewshire.cmis.uk.com/renfrewshire/CouncilandBoards.aspx For further information, please email democratic-services@renfrewshire.gov.uk Published: 27/10/25 Public
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Apologies Apologies from members. Declarations of Interest and Transparency Statements Members are asked to declare an interest or make a transparency statement in any item(s) on the agenda and to provide a brief explanation of the nature of the interest or the transparency statement. AUDIT 1 Summary of Internal Audit Reports for period 01 July to 30 September 2025 Report by Chief Auditor. 1 - 10 2 Internal Audit and Counter Fraud Progress and Performance for Period to 30 September 2025 Report by Chief Auditor. 11 - 18 3 Internal Audit Charter and Mandate Report by Chief Auditor. 19 - 30 MONITORING & REVIEWING SERVICE DELIVERY PERFORMANCE POLICIES AND PRACTICE 4 Risk Report, November 2025 Report by Director of Finance & Resources. 31 - 70 5 Local Government Benchmarking Framework Mid Year Update 2024/25 Report by Chief Executive. 71 - 86
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AUDIT EXEMPT Exempt Item Exempt documents are no longer available in print format. You will require to log in to Audit, Risk & Scrutiny Exempt Items to access documents. Please note that access to exempt documents is now restricted. EXCLUSION OF PRESS AND PUBLIC The Board may by resolution exclude the press and public from the meeting during consideration of the following items of business as it is likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted, that if members of the press and public are present, there could be disclosure to them of exempt information as defined in paragraph 1 of Part I of Schedule 7A of the Local Government (Scotland) Act, 1973. 6 Summary of Internal Audit Investigation/Review Reports for period 01 July to 30 September 2025 Report by Chief Auditor.
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___________________________________________________________________ To: Audit, Risk and Scrutiny Board On: 03 November 2025 ___________________________________________________________________ Report by: Chief Auditor ___________________________________________________________________ Heading: Summary of Internal Audit Reports for period 01 July to 30 September 2025 ___________________________________________________________________ 1. Summary 1.1 In line with the Public Sector Internal Audit Standards, Internal Audit must communicate the results of each engagement to the Board. To comply with this requirement, Internal Audit submits regular reports on the findings and conclusions of audit engagements to the Audit, Risk and Scrutiny Board. 1.2 Appendix 1 provides details of audit engagements completed during the period 01 July to 30 September 2025 with the overall assurance rating and the number of recommendations in each risk category. The committee summary for each report is also attached. For each audit assignment where recommendations have been made, the relevant managers have put action plans in place to address the issues raised. 1.3 In addition to the reports listed in the Appendix, Internal Audit has an ongoing commitment to: • A range of corporate and service initiatives; • Progressing of information security matters in partnership with ICT and Legal Services; • The regular provision of advice to departmental officers; • The provision of internal audit services to the associated bodies for which Renfrewshire Council is the lead authority and to OneRen and Renfrewshire Integration Joint Board; • Co-ordination of the Council’s corporate risk management activity; • Management of the counter fraud team; Public Item 1 Page 1 of 86
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• Management of the risk management and insurance team. ___________________________________________________________________ 2. Recommendations 2.1 Members are invited to consider and note the Summary of Internal Audit Reports finalised during the period from 01 July to 30 September 2025. ___________________________________________________________________ Implications of the Report 1. Financial - None 2. HR & Organisational Development - None 3. Community Planning – Safer and Stronger - effective internal audit is an important element of good corporate governance. 4. Legal - None 5. Property/Assets - None 6. Information Technology - None 7. Equality & Human Rights – None 8. Health & Safety – None 9. Procurement - None 10. Risk - The summary reported relates to the delivery of the risk-based internal audit plan. 11. Privacy Impact – None 12. COSLA Implications – None 13. Climate Risk – None 14. Children’s Rights - None ________________________________________________________________ Author: Karen Campbell, Chief Auditor– 07768354651 Public Page 2 of 86
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Appendix 1 Renfrewshire Council Internal Audit Service Update for Audit, Risk and Scrutiny Board Final Audit Reports issued from 01 July – 30 September 2025 Category Service Engagement Assurance Rating Recommendation Ratings Critical Important Good Practice Service Improvement Assurance Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Housing Adaptations Grants Reasonable 0 2 1 0 Housing Assurance Statement Substantial 0 0 0 0 Finance & Resources Non Domestic Rates Reasonable 0 2 1 0 Public Page 3 of 86
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Assurance Level Substantial Assurance • There is a sound system of internal control designed to achieve the objectives of the area being reviewed. • The control processes tested are being consistently applied. Reasonable Assurance • The internal control processes are generally satisfactory with some areas of weakness being identified that could put some objectives of the area being reviewed at risk. • There is evidence that the level of non-compliance with some of the control processes may put some of the objectives of the area being reviewed at risk. Limited Assurance • Weaknesses in the system of internal controls are such as to put the objectives of the area being reviewed at risk. • The level of non-compliance puts the objectives of the area being reviewed at risk. No Assurance • Control processes are generally weak with significant risk to the achievement of the objectives of the area being reviewed. • Significant non-compliance with control processes leaves the processes/systems open to error or abuse. Recommendation Rating Service Improvement Implementation will improve the efficiency / housekeeping of the area under review. Good Practice Implementation will contribute to the general effectiveness of control. Important Implementation will raise the level of assurance provided by the control system to acceptable levels. Critical Addresses a significant risk, impacting on the objectives of the area under review. Public Page 4 of 86
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Internal Audit Report Environment, Housing & Infrastructure Owner Occupiers - Housing Adaptations Grants (A0052/2025/001) Date: August 2025 COMMITTEE SUMMARY Audit Objectives The objectives of the review were to ensure that: 1. There is appropriate criteria for determining eligibility for grant assistance; 2. Applications are appropriately completed by the claimant, include relevant supporting evidence and signed and the application is supported by an Occupational Therapist report; 3. Grant applications are approved by an authorised officer; 4. Conditions of grant are clear and there is evidence of acceptance; 5. Payments are only made on receipt of appropriate evidence of the expenditure incurred; 6. Arrangements are in place to monitor that grant conditions are complied with and any clawback arrangements are instigated when required. Audit Scope 1. Interviewed the relevant officers to ascertain the processes in place for Housing Adaptations Grants for owner occupied and private rented housing. 2. Prepared a series of tests to meet the detailed audit objectives. Key Audit Assurances 1. For the sample of Housing Adaptation grants tested, each application was supported by a completed application form and owners’ declaration accepting grant conditions, signed by the client and an Occupational Therapist’s report declaring the client’s eligibility for the grant. 2. Grant criteria are clearly set out in the Renfrewshire Council leaflet ‘A Guide for People with Disabilities Living in Private Housing in Renfrewshire’ which is in line with The Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 (Scheme of Assistance) Regulations 2008. 3. Payments were only made on receipt of confirmation from the appointed independent project management provider that adaptation works had been completed as agreed with the contractors. Key Risks 1. Where there are no monitoring checks undertaken to ensure that owners adhere to the grant conditions, there is a risk that grant conditions could be breached. 2. Grant awards are not appropriately authorised if they are outwith the approving officer’s authorisation limits as per the authorised signatory list. Overall Audit Opinion For the sample of grant applications tested, the processes relating to eligibility criteria, supporting documentation and owners’ agreement to housing adaptation grant conditions were found to be satisfactory. The Auditor identified that some grants had been awarded by an officer where the value of the grant was in excess of that officer’s authority expenditure limit. Furthermore, the Auditor was advised that there is no monitoring process in place to ensure owners adhere to the grant conditions and therefore recommendations were made in the report to address these issues. Public Page 5 of 86
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Internal Audit Report Environment, Housing & Infrastructure Owner Occupiers - Housing Adaptations Grants (A0052/2025/001) Date: August 2025 Management Commentary Management are in the process of implementing the recommendations. Changes have been made to the signatory on the approval letter to ensure this reflects the officers who can approve this level of expenditure and a process is being designed to ensure grant conditions are being adhered to. Public Page 6 of 86
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Internal Audit Report Environment, Housing & Infrastructure Housing Assurance Statement (A0116/2026/001) Date: July 2025 COMMITTEE SUMMARY Audit Objectives The objectives of the audit were to ensure that: 1. The Council is complying with the requirements of the Annual Assurance Statement to the Scottish Housing Regulator. 2. The evidence detailed in the council’s Housing Assurance Statement is available to demonstrate compliance with this Statement. Audit Scope 1. Considered the Annual Assurance Statement to the Scottish Housing Regulato and through sample testing, ensured that appropriate evidence was held to confirm that the Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Service is complying with the requirements of the Annual Assurance Statement. 2. Checked that appropriate evidence was available to support a sample of performance indicators and management information outlined in the Social Housing Charter submitted to the Scottish Housing Regulator. Key Audit Assurances 1. Satisfactory evidence was available to support the requirements of the Annual Assurance Statement. 2. For the sample of outcomes tested, adequate evidence was available to support the actual outturns reported in the Social Housing Charter. Key Risks There were no key risks identified during the audit. Overall Audit Opinion Based on a sample check of the evidence used to demonstrate compliance, we would confirm that the Council has sufficient supporting evidence to comply with the requirements of the Housing Assurance Statement. Management Commentary N/A as no key risks were identified. Public Page 7 of 86
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Internal Audit Report Finance & Resources Non-Domestic Rates (A0082/2025/001) Date: September 2025 COMMITTEE SUMMARY Audit Objectives The objectives of the audit were to ensure that: 1. There is an adequate system in place to ensure the calculation and payment of non- domestic rates. 2. All exemptions and discounts have been properly applied. 3. Non Domestic Rates (NDR) income due is properly accounted for and recorded on the system and all accounts have been issued in line with statutory timescales. 4. As the Business Services team administer the collection of non domestic rates for East Renfrewshire Council, all income due to East Renfrewshire Council has been remitted to their bank account. 5. Outstanding debt at the year-end is being appropriately managed. Audit Scope 1. Interviewed the appropriate officers to ascertain the system in place in relation to billing, collecting and monitoring NDR income, updating for any recent changes. Identified any areas for improvement. 2. Undertook a series of tests to ensure the system was adequate and operating as intended. 3. Prepared a certificate for East Renfrewshire Council based on the outcome of the audit, verifying that the system in operation for non domestic rates is operating as intended . Key Audit Assurances 1. There is an adequate system in place for the calculation and payment of Non-Domestic Rates. 2. All exemptions and discounts tested were properly applied. 3. All NDR income due is properly accounted for and recorded on the system and demand notices are issued according to statutory timescales. 4. All income due to East Renfrewshire Council has been remitted to their bank account. Key Risks There is an increased risk of errors occurring when reconciliations are either not being undertaken or checked. Overall Audit Opinion The audit identified that satisfactory controls are in place for the billing and collection of NDR. Reviews of NDR Reliefs, granted on the basis of prior year applications, have recommenced in the financial year 2024/25, as part of the timetable for all reliefs. Evidence for current year reliefs were available for the samples tested. The main issue identified was in relation to reconciliation processes between the non domestic rates Public Page 8 of 86
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Internal Audit Report Finance & Resources Non-Domestic Rates (A0082/2025/001) Date: September 2025 system and the ledger and the non domestic rates system and the assessors system. Recomendations were made in the report to address areas of weakness which will strengthen the controls in place for NDR. Management Commentary The delay in undertaking and reviewing some reconciliations was as a result of a vacant principle treasury accountant post. A new Officer is now in post and will undertake this task. In addition, processes will be amended to ensure that in the future, cover is provided for these tasks. Public Page 9 of 86
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___________________________________________________________________ To: Audit, Risk and Scrutiny Board On: 03 November 2025 ___________________________________________________________________ Report by: Chief Auditor ___________________________________________________________________ Heading: Internal Audit and Counter Fraud Progress and Performance for Period to 30 September 2025 ___________________________________________________________________ 1. Summary 1.1 The Internal Audit Annual Plan was approved by the Audit, Risk and Scrutiny Board on 17 March 2025. Internal Audit measures the progress and performance of the team on a regular basis using a range of performance indicators. This report monitors progress from 1 April 2025 to 30 September 2025, in terms of the delivery of the Audit Plan for the year and compares actual performance against targets set by the Director of Finance and Resources. 1.2 In terms of Counter Fraud, no formal performance targets for fraud investigation have been established for the following reasons. Part of their work involves being the single point of contact (SPOC) for the Department for Work and Pension’s (DWP) Single Fraud Investigation Service and the Service Level Agreement for this work contains time targets for completing this work. The types of fraud referrals received to date are wide ranging and the team’s objective is to concentrate on investigating those referrals considered to contain the greatest fraud risk. They are also involved in promoting fraud awareness and assisting with the implementation of adequate fraud prevention measures within the Council. 1.3 We also provide advice and support where necessary to council services. Public Item 2 Page 11 of 86
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1.4 The report details progress against local and national initiatives involving Internal Audit and the Counter Fraud Team from 1 April 2025 to 30 September 2025. ___________________________________________________________________ 2. Recommendations 2.1 Members are invited to note the Internal Audit and Counter Fraud Team progress and performance to 30 September 2025. _________________________________________________________ 3. Background 3.1 The progress and performance of the Internal Audit Team is subject to regular monitoring using a number of performance measures. The Director of Finance and Resources has set annual targets for the team to demonstrate continuous improvement. In terms of the Counter Fraud team, there are time targets in place for responding to requests from the DWP’s Single Fraud Investigation Service. Due to the diverse nature of fraud referrals no formal performance targets have been established and the outcomes from investigations are regularly monitored by management. In addition, the Counter Fraud Team are heavily involved in fraud prevention measures within the Council. 3.2 Internal Audit and the Counter Fraud Team support a variety of local and national initiatives through participation in professional practitioner groups and co-ordination of national initiatives such as the National Fraud Initiative. 3.3 This report measures the progress and performance of both the Internal Audit and Counter Fraud Team for the period from 1 April 2025 to 30 September 2025. 4. Internal Audit Service Resource 4.1 In August 2025, the Assistant Chief Auditor was appointed, permanently to the Chief Auditor’s post. One of the Senior Auditors is covering the Assistant Chief Auditor’s post on an interim basis. The Senior Counter Fraud investigator retired in July 2025. 4.2 To ensure the Internal Audit Service continues to obtain the best from its available resources, the Chief Auditor in conjunction with the Director of Finance and Resources, is currently taking this opportunity to review the team’s structure, in terms of workforce planning and resilience and therefore the vacancies within the team have not yet been filled. It is intended that this review will be completed by 31 October 2025. It should be noted that the Director of Finance & Resources is committed to maintaining the current level of service delivered by Internal Audit and Counter Fraud. Any proposed changes in structure will be notified to members of this Board. Public Page 12 of 86
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4.3 In addition, to enable the Internal Audit Service to be more independent from other Council Functions, the management of Risk Management and Insurance Services transferred to Business Services in September 2025. 5. Internal Audit Team Performance (a) Percentage of audit plan completed as at 30 September 2025 This measures the degree to which the Audit Plan has been completed. Actual 2024/25 Annual Target 2025/26 Audit Plan Completion Target to 30 September 2025 Audit Plan Completion Actual 30 September 2025 93.6% 90.0% 41% 38.2% The current audit plan completion indicator is slightly below target as a result of a vacancy in the team and also as a result of additional counter fraud duties due to a vacancy in this team which will addressed in the near future when the review of our structure is complete. This indicator is being monitored by the Chief Auditor and it is also planned to outsource a couple of audit assignments to an external contractor (b) Percentage of assignments complete by target date This measures the degree with which target dates for audit work have been met. Target 2025/26 Actual to 30 September 2025 95.0% 100% Actual performance is ahead of the target set for the year. (c) Percentage of audit assignments completed within time budget This measures how well the time budget for individual assignments has been adhered to. Target 2025/65 Actual to 30 September 2025 95.0% 100% Actual performance is ahead of the target set for the year, although this could reduce over the remainder of the year. (d) Percentage of audit reports issued within 6 weeks of completion of audit field work This measures how quickly draft audit reports are issued after the audit fieldwork has been completed. Public Page 13 of 86
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Target 2025/26 Actual to 30 September 2025 95.0% 100% Actual performance is ahead of the target set for the year, although this is likely to reduce over the remainder of the year. 6. Review of the 2025/26 Internal Audit Plan 6.1 Only one assignment carried forward from last year is still in progress and this will be completed by the end of October 2025. We are now progressing a number of our 2025/26 assignments. 6.2 Our 2025/26 Audit Plan is subject to ongoing review in light of any organisational risks arising, and also to determine whether any assignments will have to be amended or cancelled as result of us being unable, for any reason, to undertake the work planned. At this stage we are not recommending any further amendments to the plan. 6.3 However this may change over the second half of the year as the team are currently involved in a number of audit investigations and therefore a substantial amount of the contingency budget is being spent. 6.4 Any proposed amendments to the audit plan will be brought to this Board for approval. 7 Counter Fraud Team Progress and Performance 7.1 In line with the Service Level Agreement, the Counter Fraud Team act as the Single Point of Contact (SPOC) to route potential housing benefit fraud referrals to the DWP, liaise with the Council’s Housing Benefit Team and DWP Fraud Officers and retrieve the necessary evidence for the DWP Fraud Officers from the Housing Benefit System. Where a suspicion of fraud arises, the team investigate and report their findings to management. Where appropriate, follow-on action is taken, such as reporting the matter to Police Scotland for further investigation, or directly to the Procurator Fiscal. In addition, they also work jointly with DWP Fraud Officers on criminal fraud investigations which focuses on the investigation and prosecution of the Local Authority administered Council Tax Reduction Scheme and Social Security benefit fraud. In addition to investigation work the team also undertake fraud prevention work. 7.2 During this quarter, one member of staff retired, and we are carrying the vacancy until the review of our structure mentioned in Section 4 of this Report is completed. As a result, some of the supervisory duties have been allocated to the Internal Audit team. 7.3 The Counter Fraud Officers have been working on the various fraud referrals and continuing to process the National Fraud Initiative matches which have been received. In June 2025, additional matches were received that includes data from HMRC and we have commenced risk Public Page 14 of 86
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assessing these. A full report on the results of the National Fraud Exercise will be brought to this Board for information at a later date. 7.3 As part of our fraud prevention work, we are continuing to validate any bank account changes received from the Council’s suppliers and contractors and the details supplied by new Housing Applicants. 7.4 The financial and non-financial results for the period (April 2025 to September 2025) are noted in the table below. Financial Outcomes Period to 30 September 2025 (£) Cash savings directly attributable to preventative counter fraud intervention 4,660 Cash recoveries in progress directly attributable to counter fraud investigations 42,297 Notional savings identified through counter fraud investigation, (e.g. housing tenancy and future council tax) 305,035 Housing Benefit Savings Attributable to Joint Working by Counter Fraud and DWP Counter Fraud Officers 0 Other DWP Benefit or Tax Credit Savings identified through other Counter Fraud work or through joint working with DWP 3,731 Non-Financial Outcomes Period to 30 September 2025 Housing properties recovered 3 Housing applications amended/cancelled 3 Housing Allocation Priority Changed 0 Blue badge misuse warning letters issued 17 Blue Badges Cancelled 4 Supplier/Contractor Checks Undertaken 116 7.5 Our notional savings are based on the methodology prepared by the Cabinet Office. 8. Local and National Initiatives Scottish Local Authorities Chief Internal Auditors Group 8.1 The Local Authorities Chief Internal Auditors Group met in September 2025 and a presentation was given by representatives from the Institute of Internal Auditors on a Competency Framework for Internal Auditors. Public Page 15 of 86
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Global Internal Audit Standards in the UK Public Sector 8.2 Work is progressing to ensure we adhere to the new Global Standards in the UK Public Sector which were introduced from April 2025. Internal Audit Staff have now attended training sessions on these new standards, and this has resulted in small amendments being made to working practices. A revised Internal Audit Charter and Mandate has now been drafted and is subject of a separate report to this Board National Fraud Exercise 8.3 Counter Fraud and Service Staff are working on the matches received from this data matching exercise. To date £155,329 of corrections and overpayments have been identified by Counter Fraud’s investigation of high risk matches from the 2024/25 National Fraud Initiative and these overpayments are in the process of being recovered from claimants. A full report on the results of the National Fraud Exercise will be brought to this Board for information at a later date. Information Security Group 8.5 The Information Security Group, chaired by the Chief Auditor and attended by the Senior Managers from Information Governance, Information Management and Cyber Security teams met in July 2025 and discussed newly drafted guidance on transcription and other current topical issues such as information security incidents, artificial intelligence risk and cyber security. _________________________________________________________ Implications of the Report 1. Financial - The Council has in place arrangements to recover any overpayments identified from the work of the Counter Fraud Team and the National Fraud Initiative. 2. HR & Organisational Development - None 3. Community Planning – Safer and Stronger - effective internal audit is an important element of good corporate governance. 4. Legal - None 5. Property/Assets - None 6. Information Technology - None Public Page 16 of 86
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7. Equality & Human Rights - None 8. Health & Safety – None 9. Procurement - None 10. Risk - The progress and performance reported relates to the delivery of the risk-based internal audit plan and the mitigation of the risk of fraud and error. 11. Privacy Impact – None 12. COSLA Implications – None 13. Climate Risk – None 14. Children’s Rights - None ________________________________________________________________ Author: Karen Campbell, Chief Auditor – 07768354651 Public Page 17 of 86
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___________________________________________________________________ To: Audit, Risk and Scrutiny Board On: 03 November 2025 ___________________________________________________________________ Report by: Chief Auditor ___________________________________________________________________ Heading: Internal Audit Charter and Mandate ___________________________________________________________________ 1. Summary 1.1 The Internal Audit Charter was last updated in May 2023. 1.2 This report presents a revised Internal Audit Charter and Mandate (Appendix 1) that has been updated to take account of the new Global Internal Audit Standards in the UK Public Sector. 1.3 The main changes involve providing a fuller description of the work of the Internal Audit Service and the roles and responsibilities of the Chief Auditor within the Council and its associated Bodies and clarifying the mandate of the Internal Audit Service. ___________________________________________________________________ 2. Recommendations 2.1 Members are asked to approve the revised Internal Audit Charter and Mandate. ___________________________________________________________________ Implications of the Report 1. Financial - None Public Item 3 Page 19 of 86
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2. HR & Organisational Development – None 3. Community Planning – Safer and Stronger - effective internal audit is an important element of good corporate governance. 4. Legal - None 5. Property/Assets - None 6. Information Technology - None 7. Equality & Human Rights - None 8. Health & Safety – None 9. Procurement - None 10. Risk - Conformance with the Global Internal Audit Standards in the UK Public Sector mitigates the risk of the Internal Audit Service being ineffective. 11. Privacy Impact – None 12. COSLA Implications – None 13. Climate Risk – None 14. Children’s Rights - None ________________________________________________________________ Author :- Karen Campbell, Chief Auditor Public Page 20 of 86
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INTERNAL AUDIT CHARTER & MANDATE Effective:03/11/2025 Review Date: 31/03/2027 A PURPOSE 1. INTRODUCTION The Internal Audit Section is an independent and objective assurance and advisory service designed to add value and improve the operations of Renfrewshire Council. It assists the Council in accomplishing its objectives by bringing a systematic and disciplined approach to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of the organisation's risk management, control, and governance processes and enhances the Council’s decision making and oversight arrangements. It also provides internal audit services to the following Councils Associated Bodies and Partners detailed in Section F and will apply the same professional standards as defined in this Internal Audit Charter and Mandate to any work undertaken for these bodies. 2. MISSION To enhance and protect organisational value by providing independent risk-based and objective assurance, advice, insight and foresight. Internal Audit aims to enhance the organisation’s: • Successful achievement of its objectives, in support of its vision, values and priorities. • Governance, risk management, and internal control processes by championing good practice in governance. • Decision-making and oversight, by ensuring these are informed by the exposure to significant financial, strategic, reputational and operational risks to the achievement of the organisation’s strategic objectives. • Reputation and credibility with its stakeholders, as a contribution towards establishing and maintaining a culture of honesty, integrity, openness, accountability and transparency throughout the organisation in all its activities. • Ability to serve the public interest, by ensuring that the organisation and its members, employees and contracted third parties operate within the law and relevant regulations, and that that public money is safeguarded, properly accounted for, and used economically, efficiently and effectively. 3. DEFINITION OF ROLES For the purposes of the Internal Audit work function at Renfrewshire Council, the following roles are defined as: Public Page 21 of 86
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INTERNAL AUDIT CHARTER & MANDATE Effective:03/11/2025 Review Date: 31/03/2027 • the ‘board’ refers to the Audit, Risk and Scrutiny Board which has delegated responsibility for overseeing the work of Internal Audit; • ‘senior management’ is defined as the Council’s Corporate Management Team (CMT), all audit reports are issued to a member of the CMT; and • Chief Audit Executive’ refers to the Chief Auditor. 4. COMMITMENT TO ADHERING TO THE GLOBAL INTERNAL AUDIT STANDARDS IN THE UK PUBLIC SECTOR Renfrewshire Council’s Internal Audit Section will adhere to the Global Internal Audit Standards in the UK Public Sector and Topical Requirements and the CIPFA Code of Practice for the Governance of Internal Audit in Local Government. This mandatory guidance constitutes the principles of the fundamental requirements for the professional practice of internal auditing in the public sector and for evaluating the effectiveness of the internal audit activity’s performance. B MANDATE 1. REGULATION The Local Authority Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2014 states that a local authority must operate a professional and objective internal auditing service in accordance with recognised standards and practices in relation to internal auditing. This is the mandate, alongside the Council’s Financial Regulations and Codes for the Internal Audit Section to operate within Renfrewshire Council. The recognised standards are the Global Internal Audit Standards in the UK Public Sector and the and the CIPFA Code of Practice for the Governance of Internal Audit in Local Government. 2. AUTHORITY The internal audit section’s authority is created by its direct reporting relationship to the Audit Risk and Scrutiny Board. Such authority allows for unrestricted access to this Board. Internal Audit has authorised full, free, and unrestricted access to any and all of the organisation’s functions, data, records, physical properties, and personnel pertinent to carrying out any engagement. It will allocate resources, set frequencies, select subjects, determine scopes of work, apply techniques, and issue communications to accomplish the section’s objectives. Internal Audit can obtain assistance from necessary personnel and other specialised services from within or outside the organisation to complete internal audit services. Public Page 22 of 86
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INTERNAL AUDIT CHARTER & MANDATE Effective:03/11/2025 Review Date: 31/03/2027 Internal Audit will safeguard all information obtained in the carrying out of its duties and will only use it for the purposes of an audit, investigation, or consultancy work. Internal Audit will make no disclosure of any information held unless this is authorised or there is a legal or professional requirement to do so. All employees are requested to assist the internal audit activity in fulfilling its roles and responsibilities. The internal audit activity will also have free and unrestricted access to the Board and Senior Management. 3. ORGANISATION The Chief Auditor will report functionally to the Board and administratively (i.e. day to day operations) to the Director of Finance and Resources. The Director of Finance and Resources will approve the internal audit section’s human resources and administration budget. The Chief Auditor will communicate and interact directly with the Board, including in Board meetings and between Board meetings as appropriate. The Chief Auditor may report direct to the Chief Executive, Board members or the Council regarding any matters of concern that could place the Council in a position where the risks it faces are unacceptable or the independence of Internal Audit is under threat. This positioning provides the organisational authority and status to bring matters directly to senior management and escalate matters to the Board when necessary, without interference and supports the internal auditors’ ability to maintain objectivity. C AUDIT COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT The Audit Risk and Scrutiny Board’s Terms of Reference are set out in the Council’s Scheme of Delegation and Financial Regulations and along with the Guidelines for the Operations of the Audit Risk and Scrutiny Board set out their responsibilities for the scrutiny of the Internal Audit Service. D CHIEF AUDITOR’S ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 1. ETHICS AND PROFESSIONALISM The Chief Auditor will ensure that internal auditors: • Conform with the Global Internal Audit Standards in the UK Public Sector, including the principles of Ethics and Professionalism: integrity, objectivity, competency, due professional care, and confidentiality. Public Page 23 of 86
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INTERNAL AUDIT CHARTER & MANDATE Effective:03/11/2025 Review Date: 31/03/2027 • Adhere to the Council’s Employee Code of Conduct, including the Seven principles of Public Life and also to Renfrewshire Council’s relevant policies and procedures and the internal audit manual which sets out the internal audit activity’s standard operating procedures. • Understand, respect, meet, and contribute to the legitimate and ethical expectations of the organisation and be able to recognise conduct that is contrary to those expectations. • Encourage and promote an ethics-based culture in the organisation. • Report organisational behaviour that is inconsistent with the organisation’s ethical expectations, as described in applicable policies and procedures 2. INDEPENDENCE AND OBJECTIVITY Internal Audit is an independent review activity. The Chief Auditor will ensure that in conducting its activities, Internal Audit remains free from any undue influence or other pressure affecting its actions and reporting. This includes matters of engagement selection, scope, procedures, frequency, timing, or report content. Internal Audit is not a substitute for effective control exercised by management as part of their responsibilities. It is the responsibility of Council’s managers to ensure that the management of the areas under their control is adequate and effective and that their services have a sound system of internal control which facilitates the effective exercise of the organisation’s functions and which includes arrangements for the management of risk. Internal auditors will have no direct operational responsibility or authority over any of the activities audited. Accordingly, internal auditors will not implement internal controls, develop procedures, install systems, or engage in other activities that may impair their judgment, including: • Assessing specific operations for which they had responsibility within the previous year. • Performing operational duties for Renfrewshire Council or its affiliates. • Initiating or approving transactions external to the internal audit function. • Directing the activities of any employee that is not employed by the internal audit section, except to the extent that such employees have been appropriately assigned to internal audit teams or to assist internal auditors. Public Page 24 of 86
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INTERNAL AUDIT CHARTER & MANDATE Effective:03/11/2025 Review Date: 31/03/2027 Where the Chief Auditor has responsibility for operational activities, the periodic review of these activities will be conducted by parties independent of the Internal Audit function. Internal auditors must exhibit the highest level of professional objectivity in gathering, evaluating, and communicating information about the activity or process being examined. Internal auditors must make a balanced assessment of all the relevant circumstances and not be unduly influenced by their own interests or by others in forming judgments. They must take necessary precautions to avoid conflicts of interest, bias, and undue influence. Any impairments of independence or objectivity, in fact or appearance, will be disclosed to the Chief Auditor who will disclose the impairment to the appropriate parties. The Chief Auditor will confirm to the board, at least annually, the organisational independence and objectivity of the internal audit activity. 3. MANAGING THE INTERNAL AUDIT FUNCTION The Chief Auditor has the responsibility to: Internal Audit Plan • develop an Internal Audit Annual Plan based on a prioritisation of the audit universe using a risk-based methodology, including input of senior management and the Board. The internal audit plan will consist of a work schedule as well as resource requirements for the next financial year. • discuss the plan with the Board and senior management and submit the plan to the Board for review and approval. • communicate the impact of resource limitations on the Internal Audit Annual Plan to the Board and senior management • communicate progress of the plan and review and submit any changes to the associated Internal Audit Annual Plan, as necessary, in response to changes in the Council’s business, risks, operations, programmes, systems, and controls to the Board for approval through performance reports. Audit Engagements • ensure Internal Audit engagements are performed, documented, and communicated in accordance with the Global Internal Audit Standardsin the UK Public Sector and laws and/or regulations. Public Page 25 of 86
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INTERNAL AUDIT CHARTER & MANDATE Effective:03/11/2025 Review Date: 31/03/2027 • ensure that a written report will be prepared and issued by the Chief Auditor or designee following the conclusion of each internal audit engagement and distributed as appropriate. • ensure that the results of each internal audit engagement are also communicated to senior management and the Board. • ensure management provide Internal Audit with a response, detail of the corrective action taken or to be taken and the anticipated completion date in regard to the specific findings and recommendations. • follow up on engagement findings and confirm the implementation of recommendations or action plans and communicate the results of Internal Audit services to the Board and senior management at least annually. • report Management’s responses that the internal audit function determines may be unacceptable or where acceptance of a risk that is beyond the Council’s risk appetite. Knowledge and Skills • ensure the Internal Audit function collectively possesses or obtains the knowledge, skills, and other competencies and qualifications needed to meet the requirements of the Global Internal Audit Standards in the UK Public Sector and fulfill the Internal Audit mandate. • establish, regularly review and ensure adherence to methodologies designed to guide the Internal Audit function • ensure that a programme of Continuous Professional Development (CPD) is maintained for all staff working on audit engagements to ensure that auditors maintain and enhance their knowledge, skills and audit competencies. Other • identify and consider trends and emerging issues that could impact Renfrewshire Council and communicate to the Audit Risk and Scrutiny Board and senior management as appropriate. • coordinate activities and consider relying upon the work of other internal and external providers of assurance and advisory services. If the Chief Auditor cannot achieve an appropriate level of coordination, the issue must be communicated to senior management and if necessary escalated to the Board. 4. PERIODIC ASSESSMENT The Chief Auditor will, report to senior management and the Board regularly on the internal audit activity’s purpose, authority, and responsibility, as well as performance Public Page 26 of 86
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INTERNAL AUDIT CHARTER & MANDATE Effective:03/11/2025 Review Date: 31/03/2027 relative to its plan. An annual report will also be provided and will contain an annual audit opinion on the overall adequacy and effectiveness of the Council’s internal control environment, and include details of any significant risk exposures and control issues, including fraud risks, governance issues, and other matters needed to be brought to the attention of senior management and the Board. In addition, the Chief Auditor will communicate to senior management and the Board on the internal audit section’s quality assurance and improvement programme, including results of internal assessments and external assessments. External Quality Assessments (EQA) will be conducted at least once every five years by a qualified, independent assessor or assessment team from outside Renfrewshire Council. The qualifications, knowledge and experience of at least one of the external assessors must be of those outlined for the Chief Audit Executive qualifications, knowledge and experience. E SCOPE AND RESPONSIBILITY OF INTERNAL AUDIT SECTION 1. INTERNAL AUDIT The scope of the internal audit section covers the entire breadth of the organisation, including all of its activities, assets, and personnel. The scope of internal auditing encompasses, but is not limited to, the examination and evaluation of the adequacy and effectiveness of the organisation's governance, risk management, and internal control processes as well as the quality of performance in carrying out assigned responsibilities to achieve the organisation’s stated goals and objectives. This includes: • Independent review and appraisal of the control environment throughout the organisation. • Providing assurance to management and the Board that the established systems ensure compliance with those policies, plans, procedures, laws, and regulations which could have a significant impact on the organisation. • Evaluating the means of safeguarding assets and, as appropriate, verifying the existence of such assets. • Evaluating the effectiveness and efficiency with which resources are employed and evaluating that operations are being undertaken ethically and equitably. • Evaluating operations or projects to ascertain whether results are consistent with established objectives and goals and whether the operations or projects are being carried out as planned. • Evaluating the reliability and integrity of information and the means used to identify, measure, classify, and report such information. Public Page 27 of 86
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INTERNAL AUDIT CHARTER & MANDATE Effective:03/11/2025 Review Date: 31/03/2027 • Supporting the Council to improve its internal control, governance and risk management processes. • Evaluating the extent to which risks have been identified and managed to achieve the organisation’s objectives. • Encouraging a culture of personal and corporate responsibility and accountability through the promotion of anti-fraud and corruption and ethical values. • Having the right of access to examine the accounts and other financial records and data of external organisations as set out in the conditions of funding or other agreements. • Investigating any suspicion of fraud, irregularity or corrupt practice in accordance with the Council’s procedures including the Procedure for investigation of suspected irregularities involving employees within the course of their duties. 2. ADVISORY SERVICES Internal auditors may provide advice to an organisation’s stakeholders. The nature and scope of these services should be agreed with the client and are intended to add value and improve the organisation’s governance, risk management and control processes without the internal auditor providing assurance or assuming management responsibility. Examples include advising on the design and implementation of new policies and systems, facilitation of discussion on risks and controls and training. These services may be undertaken from time to time at the request of senior management. A provision is included in the annual audit plan for this type of work. When undertaking such work auditors will maintain their independence and objectivity and will not take on management responsibility for the project Any significant consultancy assignments will be reported separately to the Board. Any significant consulting exercise, not included in the annual audit plan, will be approved by the Audit, Risk and Scrutiny Board. Significant is defined as any single assignment equivalent to 5% of annual planned days. 3. OTHER WORK The Chief Auditor will: • co-ordinate the preparation of the Council’s Annual Governance Statement. • manage the Counter Fraud Service. • support the Chief Executive, the Director of Finance and Resources (Chief Financial Officer) and the Head of Corporate Governance (Monitoring Officer) in the discharge of their statutory duties. • with the agreement of the Board and Director of Finance and Resources, undertake other tasks provided there is no impairment to the independence and objectivity of the Internal Audit Service. Public Page 28 of 86
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INTERNAL AUDIT CHARTER & MANDATE Effective:03/11/2025 Review Date: 31/03/2027 • act as the Council’s Anti Money Laundering Reporting Officer and co-ordinate Whistleblowing Activities. F. PROVISION OF SERVICES TO ASSOCIATE/OTHER BODIES The Chief Auditor provides internal audit services to some associate bodies and partners of the Council and the principles of this Internal Audit Charter and Mandate apply to those associate bodies by means of a service level agreement between the Council and the body/partner: Associate Body Defined ‘Board’ Defined ‘Senior Management’ Renfrewshire Valuation Joint Board Joint Board Assessor and Electoral Registration Officer Scotland Excel Executive Sub- Committee Chief Executive Officer Partner Defined ‘Board’ Defined ‘Senior Management’ Renfrewshire Leisure Ltd Board of Directors Chief Executive The Chief Auditor is the appointed internal auditor for the Renfrewshire Integration Joint Board. Services are provided under the Internal Audit Charter and Mandate for that Board. The Chief Auditor may provide internal audit services to other organisations, on a commercial basis, if this is in the interests of Renfrewshire Council. G. APPROVAL AND AMENDMENT OF THE CHARTER AND MANDATE 1. APPROVAL The Internal Audit Charter and Mandate will be approved by the Board and shall be subject to regular review by the Chief Auditor in consultation with senior management. 2. AMENDMENTS Circumstances may justify a follow-up discussion between the Chief Auditor, and senior management on the mandate or other aspects of this Charter and Mandate. Such circumstances may include but are not limited to: Public Page 29 of 86
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INTERNAL AUDIT CHARTER & MANDATE Effective:03/11/2025 Review Date: 31/03/2027 • A significant change in the Global Internal Audit Standards in the UK Public Sector. • A significant reorganisation within the organisation. • Significant changes in the Chief Auditor and/or senior management • Significant changes to the organisation’s strategies, objectives, risk profile, or the environment in which the organisation operates. • New laws or regulations that may affect the nature and/or scope of internal audit services Public Page 30 of 86
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PUBLIC ___________________________________________________________________ To: Audit, Risk and Scrutiny Board On: 3 November 2025 ___________________________________________________________________ Report by: Director of Finance and Resources ___________________________________________________________________ Heading: Risk Report, November 2025 ___________________________________________________________________ 1. Summary 1.1 Each year the Board considers and approves the council’s risks. 1.2 This paper sets out the latest position in managing the council’s risks, midway through the year. The appendices attached provide details of: • 1: longer-term or imminent strategic risks • 2: longer-term significant corporate risks • 3: service risks • 4: assurance levels for business-as-usual risks 1.3 This paper does not include specific programme or project risks as each programme board has established governance arrangements for the ongoing monitoring of such risks throughout the lifetime of the various projects. ________________________________________________________________________________ 2. Recommendations 2.1 It is recommended that the Board approves the report. _________________________________________________________ 3. Background 3.1 The key areas of risk previously reported to the Audit, Risk & Scrutiny Board in May 2025 were: Strategic Risks: Very High Economy Very High Reducing inequalities High Migration and asylum related impacts High Global environmental sustainability and route to Net Zero High Strategic sustainable planning for people and assets Corporate Risks: Very High Successful cyber attack Very High Partnership financial sustainability High Asset management High Financial stability High Financial sustainability High Delivery of homeless duties High Misinformation/ disinformation High Increasing scrutiny burden/ information requests High Workforce planning, recruitment, and retention Moderate Renfrew Bridge Moderate National Care Service (on hold) Item 4 Page 31 of 86
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PUBLIC 3.2 The strategic and corporate risk profile for the council in terms of its longer-term or imminent risks was: Evaluation: Low Moderate High Very High Total LT or Imm Strategic Risks: 00 00 03 02 05 LT or Imm Corporate Risks: 00 02 07 02 11 3.3 Service department risk profiles were as follows: Chief Executives Children’s Services Environment, Housing & Infrastructure Finance & Resources - - 6 - 7 - - - - 2 - 2 6 - 1 3.4 All risks were evaluated using the Council’s adopted risk matrix; this involves multiplying the likelihood of a risk event occurring by its potential impact. Risks are then evaluated as either ‘low’ (green), ‘moderate’ (yellow), ‘high’ (amber) or ‘very high’ (red). Very high risks are usually outside of the council’s tolerance for risk and therefore require significant levels of monitoring. 3.5 In recent weeks, the Corporate Risk Management Group has worked with service colleagues and risk owners to ensure risk information is readily available for this mid-year progress report. 3.6 The movement in risk profile since the May risk report to Board is summarised as follows: • Risks added/ new Service o Children’s Services – Home to school transport (ASN and mainstream schools). We are seeing rapidly increasing costs and issues in contractor capacity, which is creating increased pressure in our ability to deliver this provision. This has been evaluated as a new ‘moderate’ service risk. • Risks escalated from service/s to strategic or corporate ! - no change • Risks escalated from 'business as usual’ to strategic or corporate ! - no change • Risks remaining, where scoring has - no change • Risks remaining, where scoring has Strategic The Economy risk, previously rated as Very High, has been re-evaluated as Moderate. The impact of the pandemic, Brexit and the war in Ukraine were reflected in the Very High score, but in light of developments such as AMIDS, the granting of Investment Zone status to Glasgow City Region, and increased economic activity nationally, Renfrewshire is in a stronger economic position. Corporate – no change Service – no change Page 32 of 86
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PUBLIC • Risks removed or de-escalated to service - no change • Horizon Scanning and other points of note In May, we highlighted three potential areas of risk on our radar that we were currently monitoring for possible addition to appropriate risk registers. The following updates can be noted. o Geopolitical context The Corporate Management Team continues to monitor the geopolitical landscape and in particular how decisions taken elsewhere globally can very quickly lead to local impacts being felt. At this update, no new risks have been identified here. o Emerging duties and current uncertainty around implications A watching brief continues in relation to the consumer duty for relevant public authorities under provisions set out in the Consumer Scotland Act 2020, which came fully into force on 1 April 2025. The council is assessing levels of compliance with the duties to identify any action required. Another developing area to be assessed is the new corporate offence of failure to prevent fraud, introduced under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, which came into force on 1 September 2025. o Public health matters A watching brief remains at national and local levels in relation to the potential for a further pandemic and/ or animal-related public health incident. Current action includes regular review of related intelligence sources that would inform any required risk assessment, and the council would take guidance from relevant UK and Scottish agencies. At this mid-year review, there is nothing further to add to this section. 3.7 With all of 3.6 in mind, the risk strategic and corporate risk profile is therefore now as follows: Evaluation: Low Moderate High Very High Total LT or Imm Strategic Risks: 00 01 03 01 05 LT or Imm Corporate Risks: 00 02 07 02 11 Page 33 of 86
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PUBLIC 3.10 The service department risk profiles are now as follows: Chief Executives Children’s Services Environment, Housing & Infrastructure Finance & Resources - - 6 - 7 - - - - 2 - 3 6 - 1 3.11 Appendix 1 provides the detail for 05 longer-term or imminent strategic risks. Appendix 2 provides the detail for 11 longer-term or imminent corporate risks. Appendix 3 provides the detail for 24 longer-term or imminent service risks. Appendix 4 provides the assurance levels (to date) for business-as-usual risks. 3.12 The strategic and corporate risks remain aligned with the council plan themes that were approved in 2022. Strategic Moderate risk Economy Very high risk Reducing inequalities High risk Migration and asylum related impacts Global environmental sustainability and route to Net Zero Strategic sustainable planning for people and assets Corporate Moderate risk Renfrew Bridge National Care Service Very high risk Successful cyber attack Partnership financial sustainability High risk Delivery of homeless duties Workforce planning, recruitment and retention Financial sustainability Financial Stability Asset management Misinformation/ disinformation Increasing scrutiny burden/ information requests Page 34 of 86
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PUBLIC __________________________________________________________________ Implications of the Report 1. Financial Recurring costs associated with the measures in place for each risk are considered proportionate to the level of risk, and new planned actions are also considered to be cost effective. The financial requirements to support the risks should be met within the budget of each relevant risk owner, nevertheless, any unplanned and unbudgeted cost pressures that arise in relation to any of the risks identified will be subject to review in consultation with the Director of Finance and Resources. 2. HR & Organisational Development – not relevant to report recommendations 3. Community/Council Planning – effective risk management supports the delivery of all community/ council plan outcomes 4. Legal – not relevant to report recommendations 5. Property/Assets – not relevant to report recommendations 6. Information Technology – not relevant to report recommendations 7. Equality & Human Rights – not relevant to report recommendations 8. Health & Safety – not relevant to report recommendations 9. Procurement – not relevant to report recommendations 10. Risk – as per the subject matter of this report 11. Privacy Impact – not relevant to report recommendations 12. Climate Risk – not relevant to report recommendations 13. Children’s Rights – This report does not present a new policy, function, or strategy, nor a substantive change to an existing policy, function or strategy which will have an impact on children’s rights. The report itself is therefore largely neural on children. However, management of certain risks described in the report support a number of the Articles contained within the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act 2024. For example, managing the risk relating to ‘Community and Public Safety’ supports Articles: a. 19 – protection from violence b. 34 – protection from sexual abuse c. 35 – protection from sale and trafficking d. 36 – protection from exploitation 14. Cosla Policy Position – not relevant to report recommendations _________________________________________________________ Author: Karen Locke, Strategic Risk & Insurance Services Manager, 21/10/2025 Email: riskmanager@renfrewshire.gov.uk Page 35 of 86
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6 | P a g e PUBLIC Appendix 1: Strategic Risks, longer-term or imminent • ECONOMY – building an inclusive, green and resilient economy Context Risk Statement Owned by Current Controls Likelihood Impact Evaluation SRR.25.01.01 Economy Renfrewshire’s economy faces challenges such as: growing the working age population; more closely aligning the Education and skills provision with the needs of local employers; and achieving a strong and inclusive economy. Developments such as AMIDS, and the granting of Investment Zone status to Glasgow City Region present opportunities to grow the local economy. Post-pandemic, economic activity has recovered. The risk is in ensuring we continue to capitalise on opportunities. Head of Economy and Development Head of Finance and Procurement Programme Director – City Deal & Infrastructure (1) Capital investment such as investment in housing and heritage assets; supporting Scotland’s investment by identifying and developing opportunities such as AMIDS1 and supporting local businesses seeking to export to new markets (2) Developing skills interventions to address the risks of unemployment, in particular those in low-paid employment, and parents. (3) Support for local businesses to bid for council contracts (4) Support for local businesses to become more carbon neutral 04 03 12 Moderate Renfrewshire’s economy has well established strengths in transport (including Glasgow Airport), retail (including Braehead), manufacturing (including significant international exports) and construction and major initiatives such as AMIDs are key to future growth. There is a risk that failure to support economic growth will have a negative impact on residents, businesses, and public services. Action Codes Actions Latest Note Assigned To Date Status CP22.02.08 Maximise funding for regeneration of Renfrewshire’s places through grant submissions to external sources including UK and Scottish Governments. The Council has consistently been successful in securing Regeneration Capital Grant Fund (RCGF) support, most recently obtaining £800,000 for the PACE Theatre project. Four applications were submitted for the 2024/25 round, with two progressing to Stage 2 and submitted in November 2024. An additional application was made to the Scottish Government’s Vacant and Derelict Land Investment Programme (VDLIP), though this and other applications were paused while a national review of regeneration funding took place. Following a review, the VDLIP was reopened, and further information was submitted in support of our bid. The Council has since secured £650,000 from the programme to support regeneration efforts in the Belltrees area of Ferguslie. Head of Economy and Development 31-Mar- 2026 1 Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Page 36 of 86
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7 | P a g e PUBLIC A Stage 1 RCGF application for 2025/26 has also been submitted to support town centre regeneration in Johnstone. We are currently awaiting feedback from the Scottish Government on whether this application will progress to Stage 2. In Lochwinnoch, applications will be submitted to Historic Environment Scotland’s Heritage and Place Programme and the National Lottery Heritage Fund’s £250,000–£10 million Heritage Grants programme to support a heritage-led regeneration scheme. The total cost of the project is estimated at £2.5 million. Additionally, £297,000 has been secured from NatureScot for a peatland restoration project in Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park. Work commenced in January 2025 and was completed by the end of March 2025. A further £100,000 has been secured from SEPA to fund RIBA Stage 2 concept design work for the restoration of the Candren Burn in Ferguslie. The Council has also applied for funding from VisitScotland’s Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund to support regeneration projects at Castle Semple, with a decision expected in summer 2025. The Regeneration Team will continue to pursue external funding opportunities to support delivery of our place-shaping agenda. CESDP21 - 01 - 27 Monitor benefits of City Deal Projects, including AMIDS, Clyde Waterfront and Renfrew Riverside and City Region wide employment programmes. Monitoring of benefits reported through the City Region PMO is ongoing. This will be transitioned to Regeneration Team after CWRR completion. Programme Director - City Deal and Infrastructure 31-Mar- 2025 CESIP24.02.01 Fully participate in the AMIDS Joint Venture AMIDS joint venture fully established and operational, Council is fully participating. This action is now complete Programme Director, City Deal and Infrastructure 31-Mar- 2026 CP.22.02.01 Develop an Investment Proposition for Renfrewshire that is clear on our A new webpage has been created to highlight Renfrewshire’s key investment locations: (https://www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/article/13818/Renfrewshire-investment-prospectus) Additional information on investing in Renfrewshire and development opportunities has also been added to the Invest in Renfrewshire website: (https://investinrenfrewshire.com/locate-in- renfrewshire/) Head of Economy and Development 31-Mar- 2025 Page 37 of 86
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8 | P a g e PUBLIC economic ambitions for place In addition, a dedicated website has been launched to promote investment opportunities at AMIDS: https://amids.co.uk/ CP.22.02.07 Develop a Community Wealth Building Plan for Renfrewshire The Renfrewshire Economy Conference was held in June 2024 with attendance from key stakeholders across Renfrewshire’s public, private and third sectors. Community Wealth Building featured as part of the key economic themes and agendas with a keynote presentation on CWB and the Wellbeing Economy by the Council’s Economic Development Manager and a CWB stakeholder engagement workshop delivered by the Council’s CWB Coordinator. Feedback from the workshop will be used to inform next steps in progressing the CWB agenda across Renfrewshire through building a partnership approach. Renfrewshire’s Anchor Supply Chain event delivered by Renfrewshire Council’s economic development department in partnership with the council’s procurement team alongside anchor procurement partners from NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, University of the West of Scotland and Scotland Excel was held in October 2024. The aim of the event was to develop the local supply chain in Renfrewshire to respond to procurement opportunities available in the public sector. The event highlighted public sector opportunities suitable for local SME's and focused on how local SME’s can develop their procurement capability as a supplier. Businesses were encouraged to register on PCS and to develop their understanding of public procurement and the opportunities that bidding for public sector contracts can unlock. Procurement leads alongside business support organisations provided information and guidance on requirements for bidding and support available for local businesses. A “Community Wealth Building in Renfrewshire” paper has been produced and approved at board to set out the way forward. Additionally the CWB(Scotland) Bill was published in March 2025 which sets out the way ahead for the public sector. Plans are moving forward with speed now, local events have been organised and board is being kept up to date. Head of Economy and Development with Head of Finance and Procurement 31-Mar- 2025 Page 38 of 86
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9 | P a g e PUBLIC • PLACE - working together to enhance wellbeing across communities • FAIR - nurturing bright, happy and healthy futures for all Context Risk Statement Owned by Current Controls Likelihood Impact Evaluation SRR.25.02.02 Reducing inequalities in Renfrewshire If we don’t have a coordinated approach to tackling inequalities across Renfrewshire (including for example, the causes and consequences of poverty), this could jeopardise the effort in reducing both the short- term impacts on households but also have wider long-term consequences on attainment and health for people experiencing inequality through for example low income. Head of Policy & Partnerships (1) Fairer Renfrewshire Programme (2) Attainment Challenge and Pupil Equity Funding (3) Strong partnership working (e.g. Community Planning Partnership (CPP). Advice Partnership, Empowering Communities Forum, Improving Life Chances, CPP Board (4) Community Plan identifies ‘Fair’ priorities with associated actions relating to cost of living crisis, addressing the impact of alcohol and drugs, and a just transition to Net Zero. Social Renewal Plan has been developed through a programme of analysis, research, and engagement. (5) Fairer Renfrewshire Sub- committee (6) Fairer Renfrewshire Officer group 05 05 25 V.High The Council plays a key role in tackling inequalities and working with partners to provide the best possible services to our communities, particularly those who are experiencing the poorest outcomes. As well as our focus on health and wellbeing, we are also committed to support vulnerable individuals, groups or communities through early intervention and prevention, responding to poverty, supporting routes to employment as well as dealing with welfare reforms. The Council has developed a Fairer Renfrewshire programme which aims to tackle the disproportionate impact that the pandemic and the ongoing cost of living crisis has had on those experiencing inequalities, such as low income households. Support for low income households is an area of ongoing policy development and the Council and partners are required to continue to respond to the implementation of welfare reforms implemented by both the UK and Scottish Governments. Action Codes Actions Latest Note Assigned To Date Status CESIP24.03.06 Deliver the Fairer Renfrewshire programme, working with Funding for Fairer Renfrewshire Programme for 25/26 was agreed at Leadership Board. Grant funding has been made available to STAR Project to continue the work of the Fairer Renfrewshire Panel and Active Communities to continue their peer health project in Secondary Schools. Active Head of Policy and Partnerships 31- Mar- 2025 Page 39 of 86
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10 | P a g e PUBLIC partners to support residents through the cost-of-living crisis Communities have also recruited a Development Worker to support ongoing work in Gallowhill who commenced work in April. A focussed programme of holiday activities for children and young people took place throughout the Easter break with camps were provided across six locations by Community Learning and Development staff and Street Stuff for children and young people aged 5-14. Planning for and launch of the Summer of Fun programme was carried out this quarter, with activities going live from the start of July. Advice has been provided through Advice Works and RCAB, with the School Support Service and Family Advice service providing particular advice for families with children. A benefit take-up campaign was also run with outreach by Advice Works across 12 locations during May. A successful period product campaign was run during April with adverts driving demand. The first batch of home orders after the start of the campaign numbered over 300 and included 66 from young people 16 or under and added demand from community organisations. CESIP24.03.05 Develop the Trauma Informed and Responsive Renfrewshire Programme Additional temporary capacity has been created to support this programme. The Level 1 online learning resource is ready for piloting. Work in the first half of 2025 will focus on identifying priority groups for Level 2 training and on growing capacity within the organisation to deliver trauma-informed training. This will link closely to other council-wide programmes such as The Promise and the forthcoming work on tackling stigma. Head of Policy & Partnerships 31- Mar- 2025 CESIP24.03.03 Developing new and potentially radical approaches to tackling child poverty in Renfrewshire Work has been progressed around developing place-based approaches to addressing child poverty, with significant learning from the community needs assessment carried out in Gallowhill. More detailed data analysis is underway to understand child poverty patterns at a hyper-local level across Renfrewshire, to further inform how these approaches might be developed moving forward. Head of Policy and Partnerships 31- Mar- 2027 CESIP24.01.02 Design a new Connected Communities service model for the Council – implementing a new Phase 1 of the Connected Communities programme is the delivery of the new Connected Communities service model within Policy and Partnerships. The service review is now mostly complete, with the new service structure agreed and final stages of recruitment now in progress. The new service structure is operational effective from beginning of August, with focus now on implementation and development of the service offered. Phase 2 of the programme, focussed on Head of Policy & Partnerships 31-Dec- 2025 Page 40 of 86
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11 | P a g e PUBLIC service structure and developing the corporate approach for the whole organisation the wider corporate approach, is now underway with governance arrangements in place and workstreams scoped. CP.22.03.08 Take forward the recommendations of the Alcohol and Drugs Commission The Alcohol and Drug Change Programme is in its final phase and during 2024/25 evaluation work will be undertaken and responsibility for governance and oversight will transition to Renfrewshire Alcohol and Drug Partnership. The Programme Board will continue to meet in 2024 until those arrangements have been finalised. As the funding associated with the Programme will also come to an end, decisions will be required as to the future of projects in receipt of test- of-change funding. Qualitative research has been commissioned to support project leads in gathering information about the impact of their work which can support decision making. This research will also help inform the programme evaluation which will be reported in the autumn. ▪ Several projects have been mainstreamed or completed: o The Alcohol and Substance Awareness Education pack is in use in education establishments across Renfrewshire. o The additional specialist training for First Crisis means that specialist support for people using alcohol or drugs is now part of the core First Crisis service. o The Youth Health and Wellbeing pilot has concluded. o Two research pieces on Hidden Harm and Family Support are complete. o The Alcohol Policy post has ended, and elements will be incorporated into a new ADP post. o Connecting and Caring Renfrewshire is near completion, with only the evaluation element to complete. o Recovery Change Fund has concluded. ▪ Several projects have funding remaining and so continue: o MYLA, supporting people to sustain settled housing. o Safeguarding Vulnerable Young People, creating additional pastoral support for a small number of pupils in a Renfrewshire secondary school. o Peer support work as part of CIRCLE. o HARRT, delivering mobile outreach services for those not currently engaged with other services. o Stigma/Language Matters, a training resource for staff. Specific work on trauma is part of the wider Trauma Informed and Responsive Renfrewshire programme. Head of Policy & Partnerships 31- Mar- 2025 Page 41 of 86
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12 | P a g e PUBLIC This action will be closed and the final evaluation work and transition to new governance will be reported as part of the Fairer Renfrewshire programme. CESIP23.03.02 Develop the Fair Food Renfrewshire strategy. The Fair Food Renfrewshire (FFR) Steering Group, which met initially in September 2023, has continued to meet on a quarterly basis and is now a member of the Sustainable Food Places network. Strategic Partnerships & Inequalities Manager 31-Dec- 24 Page 42 of 86
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13 | P a g e PUBLIC Context Risk Statement Owned by Current Controls Likelihood Impact Evaluation SRR.25.02.03 Migration and asylum related service pressures The pace at which asylum dispersal and refugee resettlement has taken place in Renfrewshire since 2022 has been significant, and beyond anything previously experienced. Partnership governance structures have been established to enable partners to share information and to identify and respond to issues as these emerge. In the short term, these are anticipated to be in relation to potential pressure on local education, health and social care services. There are significant pressure on, homelessness and housing services, given the tightness of the current housing market locally and on children’s social work due to availability of foster care and residential provision. At a national level there is ongoing discourse in relation to migration and asylum related issues, and there is an ongoing risk of negative impacts in relation to community cohesion and resilience. Head of Child Care & Criminal Justice Head of Policy and Partnerships Head of Housing Services (1) The Migration and Resettlement Strategic Group meets regularly to review and discuss developments across all migration and resettlement programmes. This group is comprised of senior officers from across appropriate council services and partner agencies (2) Asylum Dispersal meetings are held every 8 weeks once every two weeks with senior council officers and representatives from the UK Government Home Office and their agent Mears. (3) Liaison Meetings with Migrant Help are held quarterly with senior council officers and other partner organisations such as Police Scotland and HSCP. (4) The Renfrewshire Community Protection Chief Officer Group receives regular updates on migration and asylum issues and any emerging issues. (5) The Renfrewshire Community Protection Member Officer Group receives regular updates on migration and asylum issues and any emerging issues. (6) Updates are provided, as required, to the Leadership Board of the council. Between cycles, briefings are provided to Group Leaders by the Head of Policy and Partnerships and the Head of Housing. 04 04 16 High It is recognised that Renfrewshire is continuing to experience marked changes in population, with refugee resettlement, asylum and inward migration increasingly requiring the Council and its partners to consider and respond to impacts on service delivery as well as wider issues such as community capacity and cohesion. The risk here is wider ranging and includes: • Ukrainian Displaced Persons • Home Office Asylum dispersal programme • Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children – new ongoing requirement from UK Government for Renfrewshire to provide for children and young people under the National Transfer Scheme • Syrian/ Afghan resettlement programme • Support to ensure effective resettlement to New Scots Action Codes Actions Assigned To Date Status Ongoing Monitoring Page 43 of 86
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14 | P a g e PUBLIC • GREEN – leading Renfrewshire to Net Zero Context Risk Statement Owned by Current Controls Likelihood Impact Evaluation SRR.25.03.04 Global environmental sustainability and route to Net Zero A key risk to the Council is that it may not achieve its target of working towards net zero by 2030 in both its own operational emissions and Renfrewshire’s area- wide emissions. Decarbonising our domestic and non-domestic properties and fleet alone will require significant capital investment and resources. In terms of reducing Renfrewshire’s area- wide emissions there are challenges around influencing behavioural changes, and a risk that others do not contribute towards the 2030 target. The climate emergency also brings a risk to the Council in terms of increased frequency of severe weather events may lead to more instances of damage to Council infrastructure and property, interruptions to service delivery and increased demands on services, often with little notice. There is risk to life, transport disruption and pollution to the local environment, as well as impact adversely on the local economy if businesses are unable to operate. The Council has a requirement to provide immediate response and manage the adverse effects of Head of Climate, Public Protection and Roads (1) Renfrewshire’s Plan for Net Zero has specific objectives to reduce emissions, and these are included in other key documents such as the Council Plan (2) Governance through the Planning & Climate Change Policy Board as well as a new Net Zero Oversight Group (3) Development of Costed Delivery Plans and a Climate Delivery Action Plan. (4) Sustainable Communities Fund – to support local people to develop sustainable projects that will promote or improve community collaboration, health and wellbeing, local spaces, economic development, biodiversity and the environment. (5) Use of an emissions modelling tool to quantify the impact of actions, inform future targets and present emissions data. (6) A Carbon Management Plan (7) An approved Adaptation Plan (8) Delivery of approved capital programme in year 25/26 which includes expansion of 04 04 16 High Climate change is expected to continue and worsen in the future if no action is taken, with increases to mean global temperatures, sea level rises and the increasing frequency and severity of weather events such as floods, heatwaves, droughts and storms. More frequent and intense heavy rainfall events increase the risk of soil erosion and flooding. Severe weather is already affecting public services across Scotland, with operational, reputational, financial and legal consequences. There is also an ongoing impact of severe winter weather including snowfall and freezing temperatures which impact service delivery and the integrity of our roads open space and buildings infrastructure. This shift in weather patterns caused by climate change is also affecting biodiversity across Scotland. Renfrewshire Council declared a Climate Emergency in 2019 and approved the target to work towards being net zero, for both Council estate emissions and area – wide emissions by 2030. In 2022 the Council approved RenZero, the first stage of Renfrewshire’s Plan for Net Zero. This Plan sets out the strategic framework required to work towards our climate change targets. The Planning and Climate Change Policy Board oversee this work. Actions include: leading by example by decarbonising our estate Page 44 of 86
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15 | P a g e PUBLIC and fleet, publishing our Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategy and Delivery Plan, maximising the carbon absorption potential of our natural environment and supporting communities to become more resilient to the impact of extreme weather events. more frequent and severe weather emergency situations, including support to local communities and businesses. Building Management Systems and Solar Array across non-domestic buildings. Action Codes New Actions Assigned To Date Status SRR.24.03.04a Continue to report transparently on our emissions to ensure that Renfrewshire’s emissions baseline is clearly understood. Head of Climate, Public Protection and Roads 31-Mar- 2026 SRR.24.03.04b Deliver the Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategy Delivery Plan. Head of Climate, Public Protection and Roads 31-Mar- 2026 SRR.24.03.04c Identify opportunities for Partnership Delivery Models for clean energy projects such as solar and battery storage Head of Climate, Public Protection and Roads 31-Mar- 2026 SRR.24.03.04d Prioritise actions in relation to the biggest emissions sources, where we have the most influence, through project pathfinder approaches for decarbonisation of domestic and non-domestic properties and vehicles to bring scale and pace to emissions reduction. Head of Climate, Public Protection and Roads 31-Mar- 2026 SRR.24.03.04e Continue to work with stakeholders to articulate the potential costs and skills required to reach our net zero target. Head of Climate, Public Protection and Roads 31-Mar- 2026 SRR.24.03.04f Continue to develop our adaptation measures, as part of an approved Adaptation Plan, as we are aware that mitigation alone will not protect communities from the impact of climate change. Head of Climate, Public Protection and Roads 31-Mar- 2026 SRR.24.03.04g Develop a Zero Waste Strategy to minimise waste generation and encourage reuse and recycling to support a more sustainable and circular economy. Head of Climate, Public Protection and Roads 31-Mar- 2026 SRR.24.03.04h Explore opportunities for expansion of carbon sinks and other carbon capture technologies. Head of Climate, Public Protection and Roads 31-Mar- 2026 SRR.24.03.04i Explore the options around developing a carbon budget for the Council. Head of Climate, Public Protection and Roads 31-Mar- 2026 SRR.24.03.04j Continue to work with communities to ensure a holistic approach to tacking climate change is taken and to ensure no community is left behind. Head of Climate, Public Protection and Roads 31-Mar- 2026 Forward action linked to Net Zero plan: Climate change action to make Renfrewshire net zero - Renfrewshire Website Page 45 of 86
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16 | P a g e PUBLIC Context Risk Statement Owned by Current Controls Likelihood Impact Evaluation SRR.25.03.05 Strategic sustainable planning for people and assets There is a risk that decisions could be made in the short term, for example to address financial pressures, which may then impact adversely on sustainability goals for the longer term impacting on our communities and organisation. CMT (1) Learning Estate Programme Board established (2) Implementation of the Corporate Asset Management Strategy ensures that property assets are managed effectively and efficiently through the provision of relevant management and performance information (3) The Energy Management Team: ensure energy management initiatives are aligned to the capital investment programme and corporate asset strategy to optimise use of property estate and reduce overall running costs and energy consumption levels. Promote reductions in energy usage and advise employees and residents about energy efficiency (4) Through the Procurement Unit, sustainability and community benefits are considered in the development of all contract strategies, with a Sustainable Procurement Strategy approved in November 2023. 04 04 16 High - Deliver sustainable person-centred public services (the Verity Agreement) and an engaged sustainable workforce - Ensure infrastructure future-proofing, with investment in solar and wind farms, electric charging networks and public transport, showing that taking the right risks right now, can transform communities - For capital projects and existing assets, ensure these are fit for purpose for the future and have sustainable maintenance and repairs strategies - Delivery of the newly approved learning estate strategy Action Codes Linked Actions Latest Note Assigned Date Status Ongoing monitoring continues in relation to financial capacity to to deliver the various mitigating strategies Page 46 of 86
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17 | P a g e PUBLIC Appendix 2: Corporate Risks, longer-term or imminent • LIVING our VALUES – making a difference together Context Risk Statement Owned by Current Controls Likelihood Impact Evaluation CRR25.04.06 Successful Cyber Attack Regardless of the Council’s technical preparedness for a cyber attack, the threat remains acute and present, as evidenced by successful attacks on partner bodies, with the risk of significant impact on council operations. CMT For security reasons, technical security controls are not published in the public domain. 04 05 20 V.High Context: The risk is specific to a successful cyber attack as more and more this risk comes closer to home, despite the sophisticated technical security protocols and cyber architecture in place, and for those organisations who have been impacted by successful attacks, the effects are devastating. No matter what technology is deployed, the risk is materially impacted by individual employee behaviours – i.e. learning how to recognise a cyber attack and keeping that knowledge up to date by reading cyber updates and doing mandatory cyber training, being alert to phishing attacks and understanding the need for rapid escalation should an error inadvertently be made and criticality of urgently reporting when they have reacted to a phishing email and explaining all actions taken. Action Codes Linked Actions Latest Note Assigned To Due Date Status As agreed by the Corporate Management Team Page 47 of 86
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18 | P a g e PUBLIC Context Risk Statement Owned by Current Controls Likelihood Impact Evaluation CRR25.04.07 Partnership Financial Sustainability The HSCP is currently forecasting recurring gross pressures of £33m in 2025/26. Scottish Government funding pass-throughs from both local government and the NHS are expected to amount to £11m, and the second (and final) year of the employer superannuation contribution reduction will avoid £4m of costs. The IJB recently agreed a programme that should generate savings of around £8m in 2025/26, assuming they are fully implemented. All of these mitigating actions may still lead to a planned budget gap of £10m, which could be funded from IJB reserve balances in-year. This will, however, deplete the available IJB reserve balances leave the HSCP with little financial resilience as it enters 2026/27, and despite a continued drive to achieve savings through its Sustainable Futures programme, a recurring budget gap of £25-30m is expected in 2026/27, with minimal reserve balances available to support this position. It is therefore possible that the HSCP may be required to consider financial recovery measures, perhaps even during the course of 2025/26. The Integration Scheme states that should the IJB be unable to achieve a balanced budget for future years, it would be required to seek additional funding from its Partner Bodies, including the Council. Director of Finance & Resources (1) The IJB’s Sustainable Futures programme looks to mitigate some of the pressure through a portfolio of savings measures (2) The Council is fully passing through settlement funding for Free Personal Care and Adult Social Care Real Living Wage increases (3) Regular budget monitoring discussions between Council and HSCP finance officers (4) Regular medium term financial monitoring between Council and HSCP finance officers 05 04 20 V.High Context: Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) most recently reported a 2025/26 forecast overspend of £5.9m, which is expected to be funded from IJB reserve balances. The HSCP is facing significant financial pressures and is currently expecting to achieve a balanced budget by relying heavily on the use of reserves and the delivery of savings options recently agreed by the IJB. On 19 September 2025, nine savings proposals totalling £2.3m were brought to the IJB. Only one of the nine proposals was accepted by the IJB (£0.13m) with alternative proposals requested to come back to a future meeting. Action Codes Linked Actions Latest Note Assigned To Due Date Status Continual monitoring Page 48 of 86
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19 | P a g e PUBLIC Context Risk Statement Owned by Current Controls Likelihood Impact Evaluation CRR25.04.08 Delivering homeless duties It is becoming more difficult to fulfil our statutory duties for providing accommodation so breaches may occur with an increase in rough- sleeping and reputational harm. Director of Environment, Housing & Infrastructure (1) Monitored at weekly Housing SMT meetings with Head of Service and senior housing managers (2) Reports to Communities and Housing Policy Board (latest October 2025) (3) The Council’s stock of furnished properties being used to provide temporary accommodation for those who have nowhere to stay has been increased on a stepped basis to 290 (from 233 in 2019). (4) Additional staffing resources have been appointed within Homeless Services, with additional Accommodation Officer and Housing Options Adviser posts now filled on a temporary basis to support the Councils response to the increase in homelessness. Also, extension of 2 temporary posts to improve access to support, housing options advice and advocacy for tenants in the private rented sector. This has been further augmented with additional temporary Accommodations staff from March 2025. (5) Two additional Housing Support Officer posts have now been created and filled on a temporary basis to help ensure the legal duty to assess the support needs of those who are homeless and ensure these needs are met can be complied with This has been further augmented with 3 additional temporary Housing Support posts from March 2025. (6) Regular liaison with Registered Social Landlords to help support the provision of social rented housing for those who are statutorily homeless (7) Attendance at regular multi-agency meetings regarding utilisation of temporary hotel accommodation by homeless services and 3rd sector organisations who support migrants. (8) Implementation of a new rent charging policy for temporary accommodation which has set rents at an affordable level for all and meets the actual increased costs of providing accommodation and related services (9) 04 04 16 High We are at risk of being unable to provide temporary/ settled accommodation for the increased number of homeless applicants, humanitarian resettlement programmes and people granted refugee status or humanitarian protection rights. Page 49 of 86
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20 | P a g e PUBLIC Action Codes Actions Assigned Date Status CRR24.04.14a In response to the increase in the level of homelessness over the last two to three years, The Council has increased its target to provide 55% of general lets to homeless applicants in 2024/25 and this was approved by the Policy Board in March 2024. Continue with the increased target of 55% of general lets to homeless applicants in 2025/26 as approved by the Policy Board in January 2025. Increase the stock of temporary accommodation by 30 new properties between June 2025 and March 2026. Head of Housing Services 31-Mar- 2026 CRR24.04.14b Deliver the key initiatives detailed in Renfrewshire’s Rapid Rehousing Transition Plan, including, the provision of adequate temporary accommodation, increasing the number of lets to homeless in order to meet needs, provide assistance to help new tenants resettle, and upscaling the provision of wraparound support initiatives such as Housing First. Homeless & Housing Support Services Manager 31-Mar- 2025 Context Risk Statement Owned by Current Controls Likelihood Impact Evaluation CRR25.04.09 Workforce planning, recruitment and retention There is a national shortage in the UK labour market for certain trades and professional services. For Renfrewshire Council that is impacting on certain specialist recruitment campaigns. This combined with salaries that cannot compete with the commercial sector, the reality is that there is a risk the council may lose key personnel, it may be very difficult to recruit suitably qualified and skilled officers for compliance, advisory, investigative and assurance work, with significant impact on statutory responsibilities and slippage in professional activity. Director of Finance & Resources Head of People and Organisational Development (1) Corporate Workforce Planning Group established to manage and implement the Corporate Workforce/ People Strategy. (2) Data analytics to look at areas of risk, trends both recruitment and attrition. (3) Ensuring we hire the right people in the first place by having solid recruitment methods (4) Offering workplace flexibility which can help enhance work life balance, and burnout (5) Creating opportunities for development (6) Partnering with employability, community, and further/higher education programmes to support the Council as an employer of choice 04 04 16 High Workforce planning risk is captured by our model for business-as-usual risk, however a live issue exists in relation to recruitment and retention challenges for particular roles, such as trades, professional services, social services. Action Codes Actions Latest Note Assigned To Date Status Ongoing monitoring with reporting twice yearly to the FRCS Board. Page 50 of 86
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21 | P a g e PUBLIC Context Risk Statement Owned by Current Controls Likelihood Impact Evaluation CRR25.04.10 Financial Sustainability If significant cost pressures are not successfully planned for and managed effectively over the medium to longer term, this could jeopardise the financial sustainability of the council and result in a significant impact on availability and quality of front- line services and capital investment resources. Decisions will then be required on the continuity or scope of some services currently offered. Director of Finance and Resources; and Head of Finance and Procurement (1) Revised medium - to long-term Financial Outlook reassessed the various risks to the Council’s short, medium - and longer-term financial sustainability. Refreshed medium term outlook was reported to Council on 25 September 2025 and outlined the immediate financial concerns and plans to address these, including savings, and managed use of reserve balances; however, as the position continues to develop and evolve, close monitoring will be required to ensure that the Council manages costs in the short term and fully appreciates the longer term consequences of actions taken to address short-term risks. Committee reports of this nature cover a wide range of current and future financial and economic factors e.g., Strategic Economic and National Policy Context, Cost Pressures, Pressures on Income and Mitigation Strategies to deal with such uncertainties. (2) A well-developed and embedded budget planning, budget setting and budgetary control system is in place throughout the organisation, and this informs members and officers regarding financial performance and stability. This facilitates robust and transparent decision making and incorporates an escalation process with regards budget management issues which may arise. The Council agreed the 2025/26 budget on 27 February 2025. (3) In conjunction with the medium to longer term financial outlook Renfrewshire Council has been proactive in planning for the future by identifying and agreeing a series of directorate-led savings targets over the medium term (2025/26 to 2027/28). It remains the case that savings will continue to require be generated at scale in order to ensure the ongoing financial sustainability of the Council. (4) There is close financial monitoring of the agreed savings to ensure that they are delivered within the agreed timescales, or where this is not possible, to understand and reschedule planned delivery to achieve the associated objectives. 03 05 15 High Financial recovery from global events - Potential reduced income from NDR/CT over the medium term as full economic implications of the cost-of-living crisis, in particular energy cost inflation, continue to impact local businesses and communities - Volatility in the global supply chains leading to shortage of labour and materials following Brexit and the outbreak of the Ukraine war Best value report - Recommendation in Best Value report to prioritise how services need to be provided in future to be funded from within available resources. Cost and Income pressures - Future grant settlements and the level of funding available. - Implications of national economic policy choices to protect certain services from real-terms reductions in funding such as the NHS - Local Government pay settlements, and non-payroll inflation Page 51 of 86
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22 | P a g e PUBLIC - Demographics and demand pressures, such as an ageing population with increased associated service demands, and increases in demand for children’s social care - HSCP financial situation and real risk of entering financial recovery in 2024/25 - Implications of welfare policies and poverty levels, exacerbated by cost-of-living crisis. - Reductions in income from fee- generating services such as car parking; implications of the national economic recovery and associated risks/uncertainty in economic factors e.g., interest rates and inflation. - Implications of third party provider financial stability, such as childcare providers in current economic climate - Liability for predecessor organisations, in light of the removal of the limitation period for historic child abuse claims Monitoring is undertaken via a combination of financial and operational measures, actions and related update reports. (5) Regular updates and bespoke reports are provided to CMT and the Council with regards the national fiscal position, likely developments and the impact on the council through close liaison with national groups e.g., CIPFA DoFs, COSLA and the Scottish Government. This liaison remains critical in ensuring the Council is aware of potential financial developments and is in a position to influence these. (6) The CMT now has a regular formal focus on financial sustainability, with one meeting in four being a Financial Sustainability and Transformation Board. These spotlight director-led savings and any associated policy changes or risks for discussion. (7) Managing the level and use of reserves has been a key tool in addressing the costs of the pandemic, therefore the planned use of reserves in the medium term, and the Council’s Capital Investment and Treasury Management Strategy, are key to ensuring ongoing financial sustainability. (8) Reports and publications from Audit Scotland in relation to the Local Government financial outlook, financial planning and related developments and improvements are supplemented with a Renfrewshire context report, with both reports being submitted to the Council's Audit Risk and Scrutiny Board. (9) Energy consumption data and condition surveys are used to identify priority areas for investment in the Council’s estate, support informed investment decisions and formulate the Council’s Capital and Revenue budgets. (10) Regular review of HSCP financial position along with HSCP colleagues (please refer to new related risk CRR25.04.07) Action Codes Linked Actions Latest Note Assigned Due Status CRR25.04.10 Directorate Savings Target 2025/26 to 2027/28 Targets by directorate have been set, based on influenceable spend. Regular monitoring takes place with Finance Business Partners and ongoing challenge is provided by regular updates to CMT (Financial Sustainability Board). CMT 31-Mar- 28 Page 52 of 86
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23 | P a g e PUBLIC Context Risk Statement Owned by Current Controls Likelihood Impact Evaluation CRR25.04.11 Financial Stability If significant short- term costs and income losses are not closely monitored and understood, this could destabilise the finances of the Council to an extent beyond the financial resilience of the Council, resulting in a need for immediate cost control measures, or short-term savings which have an immediate impact on service delivery. Head of Finance and Procurement (1) Revenue budget monitoring reports to Policy Boards focus on the forecast year-end outturn position rather than the historic periodic position, so that significant variances are reported early, and any mitigating steps can be taken. This is already highlighting severe price pressures (such as contractual inflation) across different services. The impact of pay inflation is also highlighted through this reporting mechanism. (2) Review of savings workstreams following approval of the 2025/26 Revenue Budget to ensure targets remain achievable. (3) Clear analysis of the Council’s reserves position and potential for reprioritisation or redirection; including the development of plans to rebuild financial resilience of the Council in the medium term. (4) Ongoing discussion with directors to understand the financial consequences of the current economic climate for each service and how these will be managed. (5) Review of capital plan and ongoing projects to ensure clear understanding of phasing of potential spend. 03 05 15 High Context: Imminent shorter-term risk for financial stability, recognising the immediate financial situation of the Council (note: the medium to longer-term financial position is captured under financial ‘sustainability’) Action Codes Linked Actions Latest Note Assigned Due Date Status Ongoing monitoring Page 53 of 86
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24 | P a g e PUBLIC Context Risk Statement Owned by Current Controls Likelihood Impact Evaluation CRR25.04.12 Asset Management Effective governance and management of the council’s property assets is essential, otherwise there is a significant risk of harm, financial loss, service disruption, non- compliances, fines, rising energy costs and inability to recover losses via insurance proceeds CMT Director of Environment, Housing & Infra- structure. Head of Economy & Development Services Corporately: Key responsibilities with regards to the Estate span 2 specific service departments, but they come together through a CAMIS Development Group (Corporate Asset Management Information System) which is taking forward a workplan to more effectively consolidate and oversee asset management risk Heads of Service: Effective asset management in practice on the frontline is included within the new Risk Assurance model which went live on 1 April 2023. Responsible person inventory currently being updated for all properties. Responsible person data has concluded however need to confirm if CAMIS is the best place to store therefore WIP. Further works required to ensure data remains updated (new starts, leavers etc) 03 05 15 High Context: GOVERNANCE – roles and responsibilities 1) Estates (Leases – by and from the council, and on behalf of HSCP) 2) Facilities management (security, housekeeping, statutory duties/ inspection, maintenance, repair, building fire risk assessment) 3) Property services (capital works, and CAMIS development) 4) All services (inspection inventories and response, people elements of fire risk assessment) OTHER MATTERS IN SCOPE 1) Statutory compliance requirements and financial challenges 2) Increasing costs, availability of materials and supply chain issues impacting on works programmes and projects. 3) Fluorescent Lights – requiring LED replacement. We continue to work through this, and spot replacements will be on a like for like basis, however, larger complete renewal is being considered for Renfrewshire House and other locations. Codes Linked Actions Latest Note Assigned Due Status CRR22. 05.10d Undertake gap analysis to identify activities that take place outside of the CAMIS environment and consider if these can be brought into CAMIS by way of system development Due to competing demands, development work on CAMIS has moved to virtual environment and slower than initially planned. Work still being undertaken to assess what sits outside CAMIS and what can be brought in. Discussions with other Local Authorities that use CAMIS to see what can be added with Health and Safety module being reviewed. Due date therefore amended to March 2026. Development on going. CAMIS Developm ent Group 31- Mar- 26 Page 54 of 86
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25 | P a g e PUBLIC CRR22. 05.10e Explore data and status monitoring Whilst CAMIS is noted to be a good repository for data, development work is required to improve the data and how it can be easily accessed. Due to resource requirements elsewhere in the Council, this has been delayed. However, conversations continue virtually to assess what can be done to improve CAMIS for users to ensure robust, up to date data is stored within the application. Engagement continues with Concerto and recent developments. Short life working group currently discussing the property “Responsible Person” to ensure known across the entire portfolio. Work continues to engage with all different stakeholders. Further development to include duty holders and those with delegated responsibilities. CAMIS Developm ent Group 31- Mar- 26 CRR22. 05.10f Progress radon monitoring programme and evaluation of results to determine whether mitigation measures are required within any affected premises Radon monitoring results will be received from November 2025 through January 2026, and these require to be evaluated against recommended levels for various workplace and home settings. Follow up and future monitoring will require to be developed into a Business- as-Usual model for relevant service areas. Heads of Service/ Corporate Health and Safety 31- Mar- 26 Page 55 of 86
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26 | P a g e PUBLIC Context Risk Statement Owned by Current Controls Likelihood Impact Evaluatio n CRR25.04.13 Disinformation and misinformation A significant increase in the number of online channels available and the diversification of audiences can increase the risk of the spread of disinformation and misinformation. This is the intentional spreading of false information which can then be shared by others who may not be aware of any inaccuracies in the information. This can create mistrust and tension within communities and impact on trust in organisations. Head of Marketing and Communications (1) Regular review of channels, their performance and routes to reach audiences (2) Regular review of the council’s social media strategy to ensure effective performance of online channels (3) Regular review of the council’s Marketing and Communications Strategy 2024-2027 (4) Digital Experience Programme to replace Renfrewshire.gov.uk as trusted source of information for public 03 04 12 High Context: The proliferation of information providers and social media and online channels has increased the risk of disinformation and misinformation spreading which can undermine trust in public bodies through spreading false information. Action Codes Actions Latest Note Assigned To Date Status CESIP22.03.12 Launch a new Council website – Renfrewshire.gov.uk – and implement the digital experience strategy, transforming how citizens interact with the Council across digital platforms. The new Renfrewshire.gov.uk launched in July. It includes work to rewrite content for the most-used areas such as bins and recycling, council tax, housing, benefits and money. The support and maintenance contract for the new site is also in place and work underway on a content governance model to help keep our content structured, accurate and useful, both for people and for future AI tools. Head of Marketing and Communications 31-Mar- 27 Page 56 of 86
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27 | P a g e PUBLIC Context Risk Statement Owned by Current Controls Likelihood Impact Evaluation CRR25.04.14 Increasing scrutiny burden/ information requests Over recent months and years, the council has experienced and continues to experience significant pressure in relation to information requests from a variety of sources (see context), all of which places a significant burden on staff at a time when resource is decreasing. Consequently there is a risk that statutory and internal deadlines will be missed with service and reputational impacts, and potential fines. CMT (1) Ongoing engagement with scrutiny bodies to plan the Council response and get early visibility of upcoming audit/ scrutiny activity (2) Guidance on the website to assist with proper channelling of enquiries (3) Use of open data and self-service where possible (4) Prioritisation of statutory duties (5) Streamlining processes where possible (6) Database monitoring (SharePoint/ mailtracking etc) (7) Metrics monitoring/ early warning indicators by service and corporate management team (8) Annual audit of complaints (9) Resident perception survey commissioned 03 04 12 High Context: - Increasing volume of information and engagement requested from various scrutiny bodies as part of ongoing and new national inspection programmes. - Significant volumes of enquiries (FOIs, EIRs, SARs, Complaints from public/ residents, elected members, MPs and MSPs), all requiring responses to be managed, responded to timeously and actions be planned and taken. - Increasing duties linked to recent legislation (e.g. Consumer Scotland Act 2020) - All the above at a time when the council is seeking to reduce resources and work more efficiently. Action Codes Actions Latest Note Assigned To Date Status Ongoing monitoring Page 57 of 86
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28 | P a g e PUBLIC Context Risk Statement Owned by Current Controls Likelihood Impact Evaluatio n CRR25.04.15 Renfrew Bridge The robust testing around bridge functionality mitigates technical bridge risks, however the complexity and uniqueness of the new bridge could lead to unforeseen factors emerging in year 1 which could in turn impact on council reputation. Head of Environment, Housing & Infrastructure (1) Bridge operatives trained for operations as well as all aspects of health and safety and public safety. (2) Priority to river traffic. The bridge will be opened on-demand to vessels and can be opened in both automatic and manual modes. (3) Procedures are in place should a vessel be unable to pass under the bridge and can be docked in the purpose build layby dock if necessary. (4) Road traffic comms will be explicit re times when the bridged is closed to road traffic/ open to river traffic 03 03 09 Moderate Context: - Complexity – unique, first opening vehicle bridge across the River Clyde - 24/7 operations and community safety matters - Managing expectations for both connectivity and economic benefits - Potential for changing volumes in river traffic outwith council control. Update Sept 2025: No changes required Action Codes Actions Latest Note Assigned To Date Status Ongoing monitoring of any incidents and issues emerging. Page 58 of 86
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29 | P a g e PUBLIC Context Risk Statement Owned by Current Controls Likelihood Impact Evaluation CRR25.04.16 National Care Service – governance and financial implications **ON HOLD pending Bill update** Cause: Consultation and negotiation breakdown in relation to fundamental elements of the Bill, with Government continuing to pursue this Policy. Event: Legislation for the new National Care Service being passed with insufficient resourcing or detail on how the service will operate, and unclear lines of accountability. Effect: The council will face further financial and operational pressures and increased risk in terms of liabilities for both the council and HSCP. CMT (1) Maintaining a watching brief through various professional networks 03 03 09 Moderate Under current proposals for the planned National Care Service, staff will continue to be employed by councils. However, under the terms of a partnership arrangement, legal responsibility for the service is to be ‘shared’ between the health service, councils, and Scottish government, with councils also responsible for buildings and the delivery of services. Parliament approved the general aims of the National Care Service (Scotland) Bill at Stage One with significant amendment to follow at Stage Two. Further to Stage Two consultation, COSLA has withdrawn support (in addition to trade unions), for the Bill in its present form, and the situation is now more uncertain than before. The risk statement is updated to reflect the above. Action Codes Actions Assigned Date Status Monitoring only Page 59 of 86
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30 | P a g e PUBLIC Appendix 3: Service Risks Risk (Cause and effect) Risk Capture o Service RR o Project RR o H&S PLAN Evaluation o Low o Moderate o High o Very High Means of Monitoring o Board Risk- Reporting o SIP o Project Board o H&S Planning Group Notes Chief Executive’s Service (1) Discontinuation of Shared Prosperity Fund If the SPF ceases, without a replacement, funding for current economic development and place- based initiatives would be reduced by £2-3M per annum. £1.5M of this funding relates to long term staff and services (economic development only) so any reduction below this level will mean potential redundancies. Service RR Moderate Board Risk-Reporting Renfrewshire Council benefits from the Fund through the Glasgow City Region arrangements. The current arrangements end in March 2026 and as yet, a replacement has not been identified. Funding for 25-26 was reduced by 45% from the previous year but has been managed to allow core services to continue. (2) AMIDS - Investment Zone Receiving Investment Zone status is a positive economic outcome. There remains a risk in managing the legal and financial consequences of IZ status. Service RR Moderate Board Risk-Reporting Glasgow City Region was announced as being granted Investment Zone status in June 2025 Children’s Services (3) Future school capacity planning If demand projections are not sufficiently robust there is a risk that the learning estate will be insufficient over the longer term Service RR High Board Risk-Reporting Robust demand projections (core projection, potential upper scenario and a long-term view) for scale and timing of short-term peak demand to inform decisions. Process and arrangements to support and provide detailed monitoring and updates to projections, for updates to actual data sets to facilitate a continual re-assessment of longer-term trend and likely requirements/ decision point required in relation to deployment of potential additional interventions. Options identified to deliver, if required, additional Page 60 of 86
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31 | P a g e PUBLIC Risk (Cause and effect) Risk Capture o Service RR o Project RR o H&S PLAN Evaluation o Low o Moderate o High o Very High Means of Monitoring o Board Risk- Reporting o SIP o Project Board o H&S Planning Group Notes capacity (both temporary capacity and permanent long-term capacity) to ensure the council can respond appropriately to the potential for upper end demand scenarios and or temporary demand peaks to emerge. A new learning estate strategy has been approved by Elected Members and this will be the blueprint for future decisions and developments (4) Temporary Funding Streams ending A number of service funding streams are coming to an end in the next two years. This will impact on the continuation of projects and programmes, staffing, services and goods which are linked to the service priorities such as closing poverty related attainment gap, improving mental health and wellbeing and delivering whole family wellbeing. Service RR High Project Board There are a number of funding streams which are ending in March 2026 including the Scottish Attainment Challenge and Pupil Equity Fund. Exit planning and the sustainability of projects has been regularly discussed at portfolio board meetings and as part of the Quality Improvement Framework in schools. (5) Pupil Attendance and Exclusion monitoring Pupil attendance in school has been declining over a number of years. This is due to a number of factors such as the impact of covid, inequalities, additional supports needs and poor mental health and wellbeing. As a result, this can impact on pupil attainment, achievement as well as health and wellbeing. At the same time, the service in monitoring exclusion rates across all establishments with a view to these reducing. Service RR High Board Risk-Reporting This is a national issue which is being monitored on a monthly basis at DMT. Effective strategies and interventions are in place to support and improve attendance of identified children and young people. A number of our schools are participating in a national pilot developed by Education Scotland. There is an Emotional Based School Avoidance working group led by REPS developing a response to this issue locally. (6) Addressing Violence and Aggression Following feedback from staff and regular monitoring of data, the number of violent and Service RR High H&S Planning Group Work is ongoing to monitor violence and aggression in all establishments. A policy was recently launched as part of the support to colleagues and data is Page 61 of 86
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32 | P a g e PUBLIC Risk (Cause and effect) Risk Capture o Service RR o Project RR o H&S PLAN Evaluation o Low o Moderate o High o Very High Means of Monitoring o Board Risk- Reporting o SIP o Project Board o H&S Planning Group Notes aggressive incidents across the service has significantly increased and this poses a risk to children, young people and staff safety. It can lead to absence of children and young people which can have an impact on attainment, achievement and a sense of belonging. It can also have a significant impact on staff absence and wellbeing. regularly reviewed from Business World. Strategies and interventions are in place to support the de- escalation of incidents. Addressing violence and aggression in the classroom must be considered in the context of Getting it Right for Every Learner. (7) Additional Support for Learning Establishments are reporting increased additional support needs and as a result require additional resource and staffing capacity to support needs all of learners within existing budgets. If needs are not supported, children and young people will not thrive in their learning and can also have an impact on wellbeing and sense of belonging. Service RR High Board / Committee Risk – Reporting Recent engagement sessions took place with staff to better understand the issues and potential solutions for schools going forward. (8) 21 Hours The Scottish Government have committed to a reduction in teacher class contact time from 22.5 hours to 21 hours. This commitment was made in recognition of the workload pressures that Scotland's teachers faced. To deliver, this would require significant planning time as well as an increase in teacher numbers which would have financial implications. Service RR High Board / Committee Risk – Reporting The service is awaiting further announcements from Scottish Government around timescales. However, a desktop staffing exercise has been conducted to assess service implications. This risk is in the pipeline for potential escalation to the corporate risk register in the next quarter. (9) Portfolio Management Unintended delays in progress in each of the three portfolios listed below will impact on our ability to ensure that children and young people thrive, learning and achieve: Project RR Moderate Project Board Effective governance arrangements are in place with oversight, leadership and direction being provided by the Portfolio Governance Board which meets on a monthly basis. The three portfolio groups provide updates to the Board. Page 62 of 86
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33 | P a g e PUBLIC Risk (Cause and effect) Risk Capture o Service RR o Project RR o H&S PLAN Evaluation o Low o Moderate o High o Very High Means of Monitoring o Board Risk- Reporting o SIP o Project Board o H&S Planning Group Notes 1. Curriculum, learning, teaching & assessment; 2. Inclusion; and 3. Families and Communities (10) Availability of Alternative Care Placement (Foster Care and Residential Care) This could result in a higher level of risk being managed within the community. Service RR Moderate Board/Committee Risk -Reporting Case managed by Social Work Management Teams with contingency plans in place. (11) Home to School Transport (ASN and Mainstream) Rapidly increasing costs and contractor availability places additional pressure on the Service and Council to deliver this provision. This is coupled with the increasing number of children and young people with ASN and expansion of Gaelic schooling provision. Service RR Moderate Board/Committee Risk -Reporting Renfrewshire Council currently provides home to school transport with primary school pupils provided with home to school transport if they live 1 mile or more from their catchment school, and secondary school pupils can access home to school transport at 2 miles or more. Home to school transport is also provided for pupils with no safe walking route to school, with particular medical issues and with some additional support needs. Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Services (12) Commercial Vehicle and Operators License Renfrewshire Council requires its fleet of vehicles to be effectively managed, otherwise there could be sustained impact in several areas including community care, housing maintenance and repairs, Neighbourhood Services and waste collection. Service RR High Board Risk-Reporting The fleet comprises around 500 vehicles including heavy and large goods vehicles, light vans and cars. The council implements a range of governance and operational measures to ensure ongoing vehicle operator licence compliance. External auditors carry out ongoing 6 monthly reviews of the operator’s compliance licence. (13) Review of electric vehicle (fleet) infrastructure Risks associated with the installation of charging facilities were managed during the related Service RR High Board Risk-Reporting Electric Vehicle fleet comprises around 102 vehicles. The council implements a range of measures to ensure vehicles are roadworthy and serviced accordingly. The EV Charging Infrastructure is Page 63 of 86
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34 | P a g e PUBLIC Risk (Cause and effect) Risk Capture o Service RR o Project RR o H&S PLAN Evaluation o Low o Moderate o High o Very High Means of Monitoring o Board Risk- Reporting o SIP o Project Board o H&S Planning Group Notes installation projects. There is however a need to review any residual risks that remain in relation to the siting, inspection, and maintenance of the facilities, to further reduce any risks to people or property within their vicinity. electrically tested at final commissioning stage by a competent EV contractor. EV Chargers are serviced annually as part of warranty/ maintenance contract. Chargers are monitored remotely by the contractor for any faults and site attended by contractor if fault is not able to be fixed by back-office support. (14) Tree Fall and Ash Die Back & Larch Infection With the emergence of Ash Die back in the UK there is now an increased potential for public injury and property damage, awards against the Council, reputational damage and statutory notices Service RR High Board Risk-Reporting The main trigger for this risk was a significant outbreak of Ash Dieback in the UK which is resulting in a significant number of trees within Renfrewshire having to be felled. Ash dieback work is continuing, and no new species have been identified. (15) Alcohol, drugs or prescription medication impacting employee performance If the Council is unable to identify employees whose performance is impaired by alcohol, drugs or prescription medications when driving or operating machinery, this could lead to an adverse event with impact on employees, service users, and/ or local citizens, and the Council’s Commercial Vehicle and Operator's Licence. Service RR High Board Risk-Reporting The Council fleet currently includes around 75 LGVs (Large Goods Vehicles) and social transport buses. The current corporate policy will be reviewed to clarify ways in which we can identify employees who need support for their own wellbeing, and the general safety of themselves and others when operating equipment. (16) Housing Regeneration and Renewal Programme Risks associated with delivering £100m regeneration and renewal programme. Project RR High Project Board Risk registers have been produced for each project within this ten-year programme and are regularly reviewed to identify, manage and mitigate known risks associated with each area and the works proposed. Page 64 of 86
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35 | P a g e PUBLIC Risk (Cause and effect) Risk Capture o Service RR o Project RR o H&S PLAN Evaluation o Low o Moderate o High o Very High Means of Monitoring o Board Risk- Reporting o SIP o Project Board o H&S Planning Group Notes (17) Housing IT System Replacement Programme Ensuring replacement system procured fulfils all requirements and is delivered within target. Project RR High Project Board Renewal of main system dealing with Housing Services, Housing Asset Management and Homeless Services. (18) Housing Landlord Compliance Risk of failing to comply with statutory duties in relation to landlord compliance. This could result in legal penalties, financial losses, reputational damage and potential harm to tenants, staff or appointed contractors. Service RR High Board Report Housing Landlord Compliance Strategy and two associated policies approved at March 2025 Board. Two further policies approved at May 25 Board and one at August 25 Board. Final policy presented at October 2025 Board. Additional policy on damp and mould to be established. Bi-annual Board reports on compliance presented to March 2025 and October 2025 Boards. Additional reassurance provided through internal and external audit and scrutiny checks. External consultant appointed to assist with review of asbestos management. (19) Housing Investment Programme Risk of delivering approved capital investment programmes and ensuring stock complies with statutory and regulatory standards. Project RR Moderate Project Board Risk registers have been produced for each project and are regularly reviewed to identify, manage and mitigate known risks associated with the programme. (20) Disposal of Coal Tar Coal tar is now classed as hazardous waste material. There is consequently a knock-on risk to the council’s resurfacing scheme with some moderate delays in only a few locations as alternative solutions are developed. Service RR Moderate Board Reporting Once detected, it is moved from resurfacing to another treatment type which ensures the material remains in-situ. We test all roads / footways in advance of our Roads Capital programme. (21) Implementation of Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategy Key risk is reputational damage if the Council does not deliver on their Local Heat and Energy Project RR Moderate Board Reporting The Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategies (Scotland) Order places a duty on local authorities to prepare, publish and update a Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategy and Delivery Plan. The Page 65 of 86
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36 | P a g e PUBLIC Risk (Cause and effect) Risk Capture o Service RR o Project RR o H&S PLAN Evaluation o Low o Moderate o High o Very High Means of Monitoring o Board Risk- Reporting o SIP o Project Board o H&S Planning Group Notes Efficiency Strategy and Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Delivery Plan. Both Strategy and Delivery Plan have been published. Work has commenced on the Delivery Plan. Sustainability Team are currently progressing with the development of two Outline Business Cases for potential District Heating Networks for extension of AMIDS and Paisley Central, in alignment with Renfrewshire’s LHEES. (22) Collection Management / Routing Software for Waste and Recycling Service The Service is looking to improve performance and maximise efficiencies by procuring and implementing a new Waste & Recycling Management/Routing system. This will assist in the setup and day-to-day management of the waste and recycling collection service. There is a risk that during the implementation process the service to customers may fluctuate and they are not kept fully informed. Project RR Moderate Project Board A Project team is being assembled, with cross-service representation to ensure the effective procurement and implementation of the new Waste and Recycling Management System. The project team will be responsible for the planning and implementation of a comprehensive communication strategy at each stage of the project. The service will liaise with colleagues from Customer Services Unit to share information and ensure this is available to customers timeously. (23) Risk that waste and recycling contractors are unable to accept waste materials Service RR Moderate Board Risk-Reporting Arrangements in place to address this risk through our procurement process. Work is on-going to explore the opportunities which may exist to develop a Waste Transfer Station for handling this material. (24) Recruiting suitable professional staff into key posts The Technical Unit has experienced major issues in recruiting suitable professional staff into key posts. This is likely to be exacerbated in future years due to the age profile of the senior officers with a large number nearing retirement. Service RR Moderate Board Risk-Reporting Technical Services structure is being reviewed to provide opportunities for technical professionals to develop without having to change career paths. With clearer lines of progression and professional development opportunities, it is anticipated that staff retention and employment will be enhanced at all levels within the Unit. Vocational trainee placements were put in place for 2024/25, and this will continue into 2025/26. It is hoped that future qualified Page 66 of 86
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37 | P a g e PUBLIC Risk (Cause and effect) Risk Capture o Service RR o Project RR o H&S PLAN Evaluation o Low o Moderate o High o Very High Means of Monitoring o Board Risk- Reporting o SIP o Project Board o H&S Planning Group Notes students will consider Renfrewshire Council as an employer of choice for future vacancies. Finance and Resources Services (25) Administration of elections While there are no planned electoral events until 2026, election preparedness is important on an ongoing basis to respond to snap elections or by- elections. If we are not prepared and do not monitor on an ongoing basis the supply chain relied upon for various elements of the then there is a risk that we will struggle to deliver the administration of an event with significant reputational impact. Service RR Moderate Board Risk-Reporting The council has a highly experienced group of staff that can be relied upon to lead and deliver on the governance, logistics, risk and contingency workstreams required to deliver an electoral event with integrity. There is also ongoing monitoring of supply chain, such as for printing and distribution of postal votes, ballots papers, availability of electronic voting equipment etc. Page 67 of 86
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38 | P a g e PUBLIC Appendix 4: Business-as-Usual Risks The council has 12 areas of risk monitored via BaURAM © Renfrewshire Council. Each Head of Service (and other officers who report directly to a Service Director), undertake an annual self-assessment against a set of questions for each risk and indicate what level of assurance they can provide in relation to how they and their teams perform in these areas. The model is now in its 3rd year of implementation. There is a quarterly schedule of modules to be completed in a specific order, and in keeping with risk management KPIs, the Corporate Risk Management Group monitors % of modules with assurance ratings equal to or greater than reasonable assurance. The image on the left shows the system output for 2025-26 Q2 (to date) The image on the right shows the system output for 2024-25 Q2 modules Page 68 of 86
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39 | P a g e PUBLIC While these are the council’s business-as-usual risks, where there is recognised need for specific corporate action in any of these aspects of risk, these are escalated from time to time to the corporate risk register. An example of this is nos. 2 and 7 below. Aspects of these risks are reflected not only within the risk assurance model but are also reflected in the corporate risk register. BAU RISK AREA ENCOMPASSING BAU RISK AREA ENCOMPASSING 1. Community & public safety Child and adult protection Serious and organised crime (external) 2. Asset management Statutory compliance Arrangements for void properties Fleet and other infrastructure ICT hardware and software assets and responsibilities 3. People wellbeing & development Staff health and wellbeing Training and development Corporate and local induction 4. Information handling GDPR compliance Information asset management Information security Records management 5. Health, safety & managing adverse events Staff incident recording RIDDOR arrangements Incident monitoring and trends analysis 6. Programme and project management Governance Compliance with industry standards/ adopted methods 7. Organisation resilience Business continuity: - Staffing resource - ICT and/ or power outages - Facility issue - Cyber security 8. Partnership management Partnership registers Agreements Liabilities 9. Financial control and governance Authorities and delegation Budgeting and accounting Conflict and whistleblowing Insider threat and crime Counter fraud 10. Service planning and performance monitoring Customer engagement Public/ stakeholder engagement KPI trends analysis Links to risk management and service improvement 11. Procurement and contract management Standing orders Roles and responsibilities Monitoring & Performance Mgt 12. Complaints, comments and claims handling Compliance Trends analysis Links to service improvement [Item End] Page 69 of 86
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To: Audit, Risk and Scrutiny Board On: 3 November 2025 _______________________________________________________________________ Report by: Chief Executive _______________________________________________________________________ Heading: Local Government Benchmarking Framework Mid Year Update 2024/25 _______________________________________________________________________ 1. Summary 1.1 The Local Government Benchmarking Framework (LGBF) is a high-level benchmarking tool which allows local authorities to compare their performance across 108 indicators covering a range of service areas such as education, housing, and adult social care. A report on performance against the indicators is provided to the Audit, Risk and Scrutiny Board each year following publication of the LGBF Annual Report by the Improvement Service. This year’s national report was published in March 2025. In line with the new Statutory Performance Indicator Direction from the Accounts Commission, it was agreed that a mid-year update would be provided to the Audit, Risk and Scrutiny Board each November. 1.2 The Improvement Service provides an online dashboard which allows users to view and interact with the data. It allows comparison between a council and the national average, and with the family group. Previously, the IS ranked each council and published these rankings, but have moved away from this practice. Whilst rankings can be helpful in understanding how similar councils perform, they do not take context into account (for example, local policy priorities, or council structures). They also infer particular judgements, such as cheapest equalling best. Our local policy decisions can therefore impact on how our performance appears relative to others. 1.3 In order that elected members can have some insight into improvement relative to other councils, officers have calculated rankings and included in the data in Appendix 1. It should be noted that information is not published in this format through the LGBF portal. It should also be noted that it is possible for performance to improve in real terms but for this not to be reflected in rankings because other councils have also improved. Public Item 5 Page 71 of 86
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1.4 This report provides an update on 29 indicators – 14 which have been updated with 2023/24 data and 15 which have been updated with 2024/25.data. Of the 29 indicators: • 12 are in the top 8 best performing councils for that measure • 19 indicators have improved or sustained their ranking • 16 have improved or sustained their performance • 3 are ranked in the lowest 8 performing councils for that measure • 10 indicators have fallen in the rankings • 13 have falling performance 1.5 Renfrewshire Council actively contributes to national discussions and learning on the Local Government Benchmarking Framework and uses it to identify opportunities to explore areas of challenge and of best practice. 1.6 The Council publishes its statutory Public Performance Reporting document – How are we doing? - on the Council’s website. Performance information gathered through the LGBF is included as part of the report which allows our residents to understand how the Council is performing, relative to other Councils. A separate LGBF dashboard is available on our website and is updated every six months. Services also publish performance information regularly through operational reports and updates on Service Improvement Plans and the Council Plan. 2. Recommendations 2.1 It is recommended that the Audit, Risk and Scrutiny Board • notes the contents of the report; • notes that an update on the LGBF will be provided to this Board in May 2026. 3. Background 3.1 All Scottish local authorities participate in the Local Government Benchmarking Framework (LGBF), which allows councils to compare their performance across a suite of indicators, including costs and performance of key council services, and levels of public satisfaction. Whilst there are always different views on the nature and calculation of specific indicators, the framework provides a tool for the Council to consider its performance in relation to delivering Best Value, as well as a platform for learning and sharing good practice. It is used in conjunction with other benchmarking tools, data and information that Council services use to assess performance, such as service key performance indicators, service improvement outturn reports, national and local surveys, inspections, and audits. Public Page 72 of 86
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3.2 There are currently 108 indicators in the Framework, which cover the majority of council services across ten categories: • Children’s services; • Corporate services; • Adult social care; • Culture and leisure services; • Environmental services; • Housing services; • Corporate asset management; • Economic development; • Financial sustainability; • Tackling climate change. 3.3 The LGBF provides a useful means of comparing relative performance across all Scottish councils but like all performance information, it should be used with caution, with due consideration given to local priorities and investment decisions, and differences in council structures. It does not represent the full range of council service delivery. 3.4 The Accounts Commission have published a new Statutory Performance Indicator (SPI) Direction which covers three reporting years starting from 2025/26. The updated direction has an increased focus on the use of LGBF indicators and more frequent reporting. Consequently, LGBF indicators will be reported to this Board every six months. 3.5 In the update to this Board in May 2025, key findings from the Improvement Service’s national LGBF report were summarised. The Improvement Service had noted the ‘extraordinary effort and achievements delivered across local government against unprecedented financial, workforce and demand pressures”. In the national report, it was also noted that performance improvement was slowing for all councils, though with variation in depth, severity and services affected. The aforementioned funding and workforce pressures were identified by IS as affecting the capacity of local authorities to deliver sustained good performance alongside efficiency improvements. Nonetheless, the majority of indicators continued to show an improved position compared with the base year. 4. Overview of Renfrewshire’s Performance 4.1 This section provides an overview of Renfrewshire’s LGBF performance in service categories for which there is new data. Appendix 1 provides the Council’s data, ranked position, the Scottish average, and the family group range for those updated indicators only; for ease of use, indicators in the top quarter of performance are highlighted in pale green and those in the bottom quarter in pale red. Appendix 2 includes a list of those indicators in the top quarter and bottom quarter in terms of ranked performance of the 32 local authorities. 4.2 New data is available for 2023/24 for fourteen indicators and 2024/25 for twelve indicators; these are taken from monthly data releases provided by the Improvement Service between Public Page 73 of 86
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April and August inclusive (data is released at the end of each month). Of the 29 indicators, 16 have sustained or improved their performance compared with the previous year, and 13 show declining performance. However, 19 indicators have improved or sustained their ranking, indicating improved performance relative to other authorities, including hospital readmissions, street cleanliness and CO2 emissions within the scope of the local authority. 4.3 It should be noted, as per previous reports, that the LGBF presents cost indicators on a ‘cheapest is best’ basis. As such, cost indicators should be considered in their wider context, since there is considerable local variation not only in how services are structured but also in how investment is targeted. Cost measures do not include any measure of quality or value for money. 4.4 Areas of particularly good performance include the percentage of children looked after in the community, the percentage of looked after children with more than one placement in a year, the proportion of Discretionary Housing Payment spent, hospital readmissions, the condition of our Class A and Class B roads, and the level of CO2 emissions from transport, electricity and gas, as well as the level of emissions which are within the scope of the local authority to control. 4.5 Indicators which are in the lower half of performance tables include school attendance for looked after children, child protection re-registrations, the percentage of crisis grant applications processed within 1 day, the percentage of Community Care grants processed within 15 days, street cleanliness and the condition of class C roads. Most of these indicators have shown an improvement on the previous year’s position. In our recent Best Value report, auditors noted areas of particularly strong performance, and highlighted the “robust” performance management arrangements. They also noted the work underway to further strengthen our approach to performance improvement. Children’s Services 4.6 Since the last report to this board, 2023/24 data has been published for eight Children’s Services indicators. Two of these are cost indicators – the gross weekly cost for residential services and community placements for looked after children. Renfrewshire is one of the most expensive councils for residential placements but amongst the lowest cost for community settings, due to the large number of local foster carers and kinship carers, meaning children and young people are most likely to remain in their local area. The 2023/24 data for the percentage of children looked after in community settings remains high, outperforming the Scottish average and increasing since the previous year; the figure in 2023/24 was 92.8% against a Scottish average of 88.82%. 4.7 The school attendance rates for looked after children remain below those for the school population overall, but did increase in Renfrewshire in 2023/24. School attendance across Scotland has dipped since the pandemic, and Renfrewshire’s attendance rate for looked after children – at 82.98% - is close to the Scottish average of 83.69%. Public Page 74 of 86
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4.8 The percentage of looked after children who had more than 1 placement in a year has improved, with the percentage falling from 15.78% in 2022/23 to 14.59% in 2023/24, putting Renfrewshire in the top 8 performing councils. Any indicators relating to looked after status need to be considered in the context of what is best for the young person, and that may include placement changes. Similarly, the indicator for child protection re-registrations will reflect what is safest for a child or young person. In 2023/24, 10.7% of children were re- registered within 18 months, an increase from 2.29% the previous year. However, the number of children registered at any given time is very low and therefore even a single family group being re-registered can appear to be a large percentage of the overall number. 4.9 The percentage of children living in poverty has fallen from 24% in 2022/23 to 20.99% in 2023/24, which is close to the national average. This figure is for Renfrewshire as a whole and there is greater variation across different parts of Renfrewshire. Although the percentage has fallen, tackling child poverty, including through the work of Fairer Renfrewshire, remains a priority for the Council. 4.10 The LGBF also includes an indicator on the percentage of children meeting developmental milestones at 27-30 months. This indicator is based on health visitor data and therefore not reflective of local authority activity. Nonetheless, it can provide useful context when planning universal and targeted services for children and has relevance in particular for early years learning. In 2023/24 there was improvement to 80.6% from 79% in 2022/23 but this remains behind the Scottish average of 83.27%. Corporate Services 4.11 Four indicators have been updated with 2024/25 data. Renfrewshire Council’s budget in 2024/25 allocated an additional £600,000 to top up the Scottish Welfare Fund and this has given the Council the opportunity to make more awards than may have been possible. In 2024/25, not all funding was utilised but those funds remain available for this purpose should there be more successful applications in future years. Renfrewshire Council remains the highest spender in relation to proportion of Discretionary Housing Payment spent. Our local policy decisions on funding therefore increase the volume of applications being processed, which has a direct impact on performance against the LGBF indicators. 4.12 The proportions of Crisis Grant decisions within 1 day and Community Care Grant decisions within 15 days both improved in 2024/25. Just over 89% of Crisis Grant decisions were made within a day, up from 85.7% in the previous year, whilst 93.96% of Community Care Grants had a decision within 15 days, up from 86.25% the previous year. Despite this, our relative position fell from 17th to 30th. Renfrewshire historically has had much higher volumes of applications than its peer authorities within the Family Group. Figures produced as part of the Scottish Social Security Statistics show that Renfrewshire had the eighth highest number of Crisis Grant applications at 8,910 and the tenth highest number of Community Care Grant applications in 2024/25 at 2,815; as such, these LGBF indicators are of limited value without context, as they take no account of volumes, only of processing time. Reviewing performance for the nine councils with higher volumes than Renfrewshire shows that the percentage of Community Care grants decided in 15 days ranged from 62% Public Page 75 of 86
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to 99%, and the national average is 91%. In relation to Crisis Grants, Renfrewshire’s performance is currently behind those who have higher volumes. Adult Social Care 4.13 Two adult social care indicators have had 2024/25 data published. The first is the rate of readmission to hospital and performance remains strong with 83.57 readmissions per 1000 discharges in 2024/25, well below the Scottish average of 102.8 and the best performance in our family group. Renfrewshire continues to be the best performing council in relation to minimising delayed discharge from hospital. There has been an improvement in the percentage of care services graded ‘Good’ or better by the Care Inspectorate from 75.4% in 2023/24 to 82.1% in 2024/25; it should be noted that this includes all care services in Renfrewshire regardless of who provides them. All registered services provided directly by Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership were graded ‘Good’ or better as at 30 September 2025. Environmental Services 4.14 Data for 2024/25 on the condition of roads has been published, and shows that Renfrewshire continues to perform well. In all four categories of roads, our performance is better than the Scottish average. Performance is particularly strong for class A and B roads. This reflects several years of sustained investment in roads and a recent focus on class A roads. 4.15 The Street Cleanliness score, as measured by 3 random samples across the year, improved in 2024/25 to 91.7%, from 88.5%. This is in line with the Scottish average and means our ranked position is no longer in the bottom 8 councils. Litter picking programmes have been increased alongside continuing support for Team Up to Clean and the work of the Flytipping taskforce. Additional targeted deep cleans in some communities have also been in place since early 2024. Economic Development 4.16 The number of start-ups supported by Business Gateway, as measured per 10,000 population, was 14.15 in 2024/25, lower than the previous year’s figure of 16.3. This indicator is partly dependent on when entrepreneurs decide to launch their business, and Business Gateway continues to support hundreds of new businesses each year. In 2024.25, they supported 265 new businesses to launch. 4.17 The two indicators on claimant count – the percentage of people claiming employment benefits – showed improvement in 2024/25. Claimant count for the entire working age population fell from 3.2% in 2023/24 to 3.06% in 2024/25 whilst claimant count for those aged 16-24 fell from 3.7% to 3.57% over the same time period. The Council continues to offer a range of support to help people into employment and during 2024/25 employability services supported over 1400 people in Renfrewshire. Public Page 76 of 86
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4.18 The Gross Value Added per capita indicator – measuring the value of goods and services produced in the area once costs of production are accounted for - has been updated with 2023/24 data. This indicator helps show the local economy’s post-pandemic recovery. Developments such as AMIDS, improved transport links and regeneration grants to local businesses all contribute to the improved performance, with GVA per capita rising from £23,758 in 2023/24 to £25,925 in 2024/25. Tackling Climate Change 4.19 All five climate change indicators have been updated with 2023/24 data. The data shows a continued reduction in area-wide emissions and in those within the scope of the local authority to control. Emissions from transport and from natural gas have reduced, though there has been a slight increase in emissions from electricity. Renfrewshire Council is in the top 8 councils for four of the five climate measures, and outperforms the Scottish average on all five, as Figure 1 below shows. 4.20 No new data for indicators in the categories of Culture and Leisure, Housing Services, Corporate Assets or Financial Sustainability has been published since the last update to this Board. 6. Monitoring and reporting of LGBF 6.1 The performance of the LGBF indicators will continue to be monitored by the Corporate Management Team, through service improvement planning processes and through further benchmarking activities to develop and share best practice. Reports will continue to be submitted to the Audit, Risk and Scrutiny Board every six months to review performance and monitor progress. 6.2 Officers have established a new Performance Group to provide an additional focus on performance at service and council level, measured by local indicators as well as benchmarking indicators. The Group has already commenced regular deep-dives to promote a council-wide understanding of what is driving performance change and how improvement can be supported where necessary. All services are represented on the Group and current work includes exploring LGBF indicators with a focus on cost indicators. 6.3 Renfrewshire Council publishes its statutory Public Performance Reporting document on the Council’s website in March each year. The LGBF Dashboard on the Council’s website will be updated every six months and can be viewed here. Public Page 77 of 86
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Figure 1: Renfrewshire performance on climate indicators relative to Scotland (aim to minimise) Implications of this report 1. Financial – No direct implications though the report includes cost-based measures. 2. HR and Organisational Development – none 3. Community/Council Planning – the indicators contribute to our understanding of performance in relation to Community Plan and Council Plan themes. 4. Legal – none 5. Property/Assets – no direct implications but the report references indicators relating to council assets. 6. Information Technology – n/a 4.06 3.5 17.09 31.09 43.3 4.59 4.04 28.67 46.74 56.17 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 CLIM1 CO2 emissions area wide per capita CLIM2 CO2 emissions are wide: emissions within scope of LA per capita CLIM03 CO2 emissions from Transport per 1000 population CLIM04 CO2 emissions from Electricity per 1000 population CLIM05 CO2 emissions from Natural Gas per 1000 population Renfrewshire Scotland Public Page 78 of 86
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7. Equality & Human Rights – The recommendations contained within this report have not been assessed in relation to their impact on equalities and human rights. The report contains information about past performance and is for noting. 8. Health and Safety – none 9. Procurement – no direct implication but the report includes details of an indicator relating to the Council’s procurement spend. 10. Risk – none 11. Privacy Impact – none 12. COSLA Policy Position – the LGBF framework represents a joint commitment by SOLACE (Scotland) and COSLA to develop better measurement and comparable data to target resources and drive improvements. 13. Children’s Rights – no direct implications from the recommendations but the report contains information about performance indicators relating to services for children and young people. 14. Climate Risk – no direct implications but the report includes measures relating to CO2 emissions. Author: Lisa Fingland, Policy Manager, lisa.fingland@renfrewshire.gov.uk Public Page 79 of 86
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Appendix 1: Updated indicators Indicators are grouped by service category. The tables show Renfrewshire’s position for the last three years, the Scottish average, and the Family Group range and ranking. Indicators which are in the top eight councils for performance are highlighted in pale green and indicators in the bottom eight councils are highlighted in pale red. Family Groups allow comparisons and encourage discussions between similar councils. Renfrewshire is currently in the following family groups: • Family Group 3 for population type, which includes Children Services, Adult Social Care and Housing Services – Clackmannanshire, Dumfries & Galloway, Falkirk, Fife, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, and West Lothian. • Family Group 3 for area, which includes Corporate Services, Culture and Leisure, Environmental Services, Corporate Assets, Economic Development, Financial Sustainability, Tackling Climate Change – Angus, Clackmannanshire, East Renfrewshire, Inverclyde, Midlothian, Renfrewshire, South Lanarkshire and West Lothian. Children’s Services Eight indicators have been updated with 2023/24 data. Indicator Ranked Position Data Scottish Average Family Group (Maximum/Minimum) Family Group Ranking 2022/2 3 2023/24 2024/25 2022/23 2023/24 2024/25 CHN8a The Gross Cost of "Children Looked After" in Residential Based Services per Child per Week 27 31 n/a £6,157.69 £7,475.52 n/a £5,281.82 Renfrewshire (£7,475.52) and Dumfries & Galloway (£4,371.59) 8 CHN8b The Gross Cost of "Children Looked After" in a Community Setting per Child per Week 7 8 n/a £337.05 £386.62 n/a £474.68 Fife (£616.53) and Renfrewshire (£386.62) 1 CHN9 % of children being looked after in the community 9 5 n/a 91.7 92.8 n/a 88.82% Clackmannanshire (93.87%) and Falkirk (84.9%) 2 Public Page 80 of 86
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CHN17 % of children meeting developmental milestones 28 25 n/a 79 80.6 n/a 83.27% Fife (83.52%) and Dumfries & Galloway (78.89%) 6 CHN19b School attendance rate (Looked After Children) 26 21 n/a 82.2 82.98 n/a 83.69% Falkirk (87.94%) and Dumfries & Galloway (77.71%) 6 CHN22 % of child protection re- registrations within 18 months 21 22 n/a 2.29 10.7 n/a 5.81% South Ayrshire and West Lothian (0%) and Clackmannanshire (16.36%) 5 CHN23 % LAC with more than 1 placement in the last year (Aug- July) 14 7 n/a 15.78 14.59 n/a 17.5% Fife (23.52%) and West Lothian (14.51%) 2 CHN24 % of children living in poverty (After Housing Costs) 18 12 n/a 24 20.99 n/a 20.74% Clackmannanshire (28.46%) and South Lanarkshire (19.55%) 3 Corporate Services Four indicators have been updated with 2024/25 data. Indicator Ranked Position Data Scottish Average Family Group (Maximum/Minimum) Family Group Ranking 2022/2 3 2023/24 2024/25 2022/23 2023/24 2024/25 CORP 9 % of Crisis Grant decisions within 1 day 28 17 30 83.30% 85.75% 89.25% 96.00% East Renfrewshire (100%) and Renfrewshire (89.25%) 8 CORP 10 % of CCG Grant decisions within 15 days 16 18 21 90.10% 86.25% 93.96% 90.62% Clackmannanshire, East Renfrewshire and Midlothian (all 100%) and Angus (83.58%) 7 CORP 11 The proportion of SWF Budget Spent 14 8 6 130% 145% 96.66% 82.9% East Renfrewshire (133.29%) and West Lothian (65.93%) 3 CORP 12 Proportion of DHP Funding spent 1 1 1 106% 119% 117% 99% Renfrewshire (117%) and Angus (83%) 1 Adult Social Care Public Page 81 of 86
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Three indicators have been updated with data for 2024/25. Indicator Ranked Position Data Scottish Average Family Group (Maximum/Minimum) Family Group Ranking 2022/2 3 2023/24 2024/25 2022/23 2023/24 2024/25 SW6 Rate of readmission to hospital within 28 days per 1,000 discharges 4 8 7 80.15 85.4 83.57 102.8 Falkirk (140.91) and Renfrewshire (83.57) 1 SW7 Proportion of care services graded 'good' (4) or better in Care Inspectorate inspections 15 24 19 78 75.4 82.1 81.9 Fife (73.5%) and Falkirk (89.9%) 5 SW8 Number of days people spend in hospital when they are ready to be discharged, per 1,000 population (75+) 3 1 1 295.92 138.74 164.04 924.79 South Ayrshire (1643.7) and Renfrewshire (164.04) 1 Environment Five indicators have been updated with data for 2024/25. Indicator Ranked Position Data Scottish Average Family Group (Maximum/Minimum) Family Group Ranking 2022/2 3 2023/24 2024/25 2022/23 2023/24 2024/25 ENV3c Street Cleanliness Score 10 26 17 93.3% 88.5% 91.7% 91.7% East Renfrewshire (94.86%) and Clackmannanshire (82.38%) 4 ENV4b % of A Class roads that should be considered for maintenance treatment 2 2 4 15.5% 14.8% 18.0% 31.0% West Lothian (34%) and Inverclyde and Renfrewshire (18%) 1 ENV4c % of B Class roads that should be considered for maintenance treatment 4 3 7 19.25% 20.7% 25.0% 35.0% Angus (42%) and Clackmannanshire (23%) 2 Public Page 82 of 86
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ENV4d % of C Class roads that should be considered for maintenance treatment 11 11 18 27% 27.6% 31.0% 34% Clackmannanshire and Midlothian (28%) and West Lothian (42%) 5 ENV4e % of U Class roads that should be considered for maintenance treatment 6 9 9 30.1% 30.9% 31.0% 36.0% East Renfrewshire and Midlothian (43%) and West Lothian (30%) 2 Economic Development One indicator has been updated with 2023/24 data and three with 2024/25 data. Indicator Ranked Position Data Scottish Average Family Group (Maximum/Minimum) Family Group Ranking 2022/2 3 2023/24 2024/25 2022/23 2023/24 2024/25 ECON5 No of business gateway start-ups per 10,000 population 27 12 17 11.6 16.3 14.15 12.38 Angus (17.67) and South Lanarkshire (7.39) 4 ECON11 Gross Value Added (GVA) per capita 14 15 n/a £23,758 £25,925 n/a £30,669 West Lothian (£31,674) and East Renfrewshire (£13,154) 2 ECON12a Claimant Count as % of Working Age Population 20 22 21 3.1 3.2 3.06 3.13. East Renfrewshire (1.79%) and Inverclyde (3.46%) 6 ECON12b Claimant Count as % of 16-24 Population 20 20 18 3.6 3.7 3.57 3.32 East Renfrewshire (1.75%) and Clackmannanshire (4.79%) 5 Tackling Climate Change All five indicators have been updated with 2023/24 data. Indicator Ranked Position Data Scottish Average Family Group (Maximum/Minimum) Family Group Ranking 2022/2 3 2023/24 2024/25 2022/23 2023/24 2024/25 CLIM01 CO2 emissions area wide, per capita 16 16 n/a 4.4 4.06 n/a 4.59 Clackmannanshire (8.56) and East Renfrewshire (3.48) 5 Public Page 83 of 86
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CLIM02 CO2 emissions area wide, emissions within scope of LA, per capita 11 7 n/a 3.8 3.5 n/a 4.04 Clackmannanshire (5.79) and East Renfrewshire (2.99) 4 CLIM03 Emissions from transport per 1,000 population 10 7 n/a 18.2 17.09 n/a 28.67 West Lothian (23.26) and East Renfrewshire (8.55) 3 CLIM04 Emissions from electricity per 1,000 population 1 1 n/a 30.3 31.09 n/a 46.74 Midlothian (45.16) and Renfrewshire (31.09) 1 CLIM05 Emissions from natural gas per 1,000 population 8 7 n/a 46.2 43.3 n/a 56.17 Inverclyde (90.53) and Clackmannanshire (40.81) 2 Public Page 84 of 86
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Appendix 2: Indicators ranked in top eight and bottom eight of local authorities Top quarter ranking • CHN8b The Gross Cost of "Children Looked After" in a Community Setting per Child per Week • CHN9 % of children being looked after in the community • CHN23 % LAC with more than 1 placement in the last year (Aug-July) • CORP 12 Proportion of DHP Funding spent • SW6 Rate of readmission to hospital within 28 days per 1,000 discharges • SW8 Number of days people spend in hospital when they are ready to be discharged, per 1,000 population (75+) • ENV4b % of A Class roads that should be considered for maintenance treatment • ENV4c % of B Class roads that should be considered for maintenance treatment • CLIM02 CO2 emissions area wide, emissions within scope of LA, per capita • CLIM03 Emissions from transport per 1,000 population • CLIM04 Emissions from electricity per 1,000 population • CLIM05 Emissions from natural gas per 1,000 population Bottom quarter ranking • CHN8a The Gross Cost of "Children Looked After" in Residential Based Services per Child per Week • CHN17 % of children meeting developmental milestones • CORP 9 % of Crisis Grant decisions within 1 day Public Page 85 of 86
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