Vowchurch Group Parish Council
Risk Assessment Schedule
Adopted 07/05/26
Definition of Risk Management
Risk is the threat that an event or action will adversely affect the Parish Council’s ability to achieve its objectives and
to successfully execute its strategies. Risk management is the process by which risks are identified, evaluated and
controlled. It is a key element of the framework of governance together with community focus, structures and
processes, standards of conduct and service delivery arrangements.
The Parish Council is aware that although some risks can never be eliminated fully, it has in place a strategy that
provides a structured, systematic and focuses approach to managing risk, which:
Identifies the subject
Identifies what the risk may be
Identifies the level of risk
Evaluates the management and control of the risk and records findings
Reviews, assesses and revises procedures if required
The following are the identified areas of risk.
Management
Subject
Risks identified
H/M
/L
Management/Control of Risk
Review/Assess/
Revise
Last
Review
Business
Continuity
Council not being able
to continue its
business due to an
unexpected or tragic
circumstance
L
All files, recent records and website information are kept at the
clerk’s home. There are automatic back ups to memory stick at
the clerk’s home, and the clerk makes regular back ups of files to
memory sticks held in the clerk’s adjoining property, along with
back ups to OneDrive. In the event of the clerk being indisposed
the Chairman to contact HALC for advice.
Review when
necessary.
Ensure
procedures
below are
undertaken
May
2026
Meeting
Location
Adequacy
Health and Safety
L
Meetings are held in Vowchurch & Turnastone Memorial Hall,
Newton Church Room or Escley Sports Pavilion. The Clerk or the
Caretakers hold the keys to access the buildings. The premises and
facilities are considered to be adequate for the Clerk, Councillors
and any public who attend from a health and safety and comfort
aspect.
Existing
Procedure
adequate
May
2026
Council
Records
Loss through theft, fire,
damage
L
Papers, both current and archived, are held in a filing cabinet at the
clerk’s home. Active records are mostly also held electronically.
Provision is
considered to be
adequate.
May
2026
Council
Records
electronic
Loss through damage,
fire, corruption of
computer
M
The Parish Council’s electronic records and website are stored on
the clerk’s computer. See Business Continuity above.
Existing
procedure
adequate
May
2026
Finance
Precept
Adequacy of precept
M
Sound budgeting to underlie annual precept. The Parish Council
receives quarterly budget update information and detailed budgets
in the late autumn. The precept is an agenda item at the January
meeting.
Existing
procedure
adequate
May
2026
Insurance
Adequacy
Cost
Compliance
Fidelity Guarantee
L
L
L
M
An annual review is undertaken of all insurance arrangements in
place. Employers Liability, Public Liability and Fidelity Guarantee
are a statutory requirement
Existing
procedure
adequate Review
provision and
compliance
annually
May
2026
Banking
Inadequate checks
L
The Council has Financial Regulations which set out the
requirements for banking, cheques, internet banking and
reconciliation of accounts
Existing
procedures
adequate
Review
Financial
Regulations as
necessary
May 2026
Cash
Loss through theft or
dishonesty
L
The Council has no petty cash or float. Any cash transactions
made by the clerk, are fully receipted and then reimbursed
monthly or paid by cheque/internet banking on receipt of an
invoice.
Existing
procedures
adequate
May 2026
Financial
controls
and records
Inadequate checks
L
Quarterly reconciliation prepared by RFO and checked by two
Councillors of the Parish Council. Two signatories on cheques.
Two Councillors check and sign internet banking transactions.
Internal and external audit.
Any financial obligation must be resolved and clearly minuted
before any commitment. All payments must be resolved and
clearly minuted.
The Clerk is able to view and submit payments via internet
banking. Members of the finance working group are able to view
and authorize payments via internet banking. Two members of
the finance group must authorize every internet bank payment.
Existing
procedures
adequate
May 2026
Freedom of
Information
Act
GDPR
Policy Provision
Policy Provision
L
M
M
The Council has a model publication scheme for Local Councils in
place. The clerk is aware that if a substantial request arrives
then this may require many hours of additional work. The
Council is able to request a fee if the work will take over 15
hours. However the request can be resubmitted, broken down
into sections, thus negating the payment of a fee.
The Council complies with GDPR and documents are available on
the website.
Monitor and
report any
impacts made
under Freedom
of Information
Act
Monitor and
report any
impacts made
under GDPR
May 2026
May 2026
Election
Costs
Risk of election cost
M
Risk is higher in an election year. There are no measures, which
can be adopted to minimise risk of having a contested election.
A contingency fund should be established to meet the costs.
Include in
financial
statement
when setting
precept
May 2026
VAT
Re-claiming
L
HMRC has a standard form and procedures for re-claiming VAT.
Existing
procedures
adequate
May 2026
Annual
return
Not submitted within
time limits
L
The Clerk is responsible to ensure the accounts are submitted to
the internal auditor, that the Annual return is completed and
signed by the Council, then sent on to the External Auditor
within time limit.
Existing
procedures
adequate
May 2026
Assets
Street
Furniture
and other
items
Damage to benches,
signs etc
L
An asset register is kept up to date and insurance is held at the
appropriate level. Regular checks should be made on all
equipment by members of the
Parish Council.
Existing
procedures
adequate
May 2026
Liabilities
Legal
Powers and
legal
liability
Illegal activity or
payments
M
All activity and payments made within the powers of the Parish
Council (not ultra vires) are to be resolved and clearly minuted.
Clerk to clarify legal position on proposals and to seek advice if
necessary
Existing
procedures
adequate
May 2026
Minutes/
Agendas/
Statutory
Documents
Accuracy and legality
Non compliance with
statutory
requirements
L
Minutes and agendas are produced in the prescribed method
and adhere to legal requirements. Minutes are approved and
signed at next meeting. Minutes and agendas are displayed
according to legal requirements
Business conducted at Council meetings is managed by the
Chairman.
Standing Orders are reviewed annually
Existing
procedures
adequate
May 2026
Public
Liability
Risk to third party,
property or
individuals
M
Insurance is in place. Risk assessment of any individual event
undertaken
Existing
procedures
adequate
May 2026
Employees and Contractors
Clerk
Loss of clerk
Fraud
M
L
A contingency fund should be established to enable training and
induction in the event of the clerk resigning.
The requirements of Fidelity
Guarantee insurance must be
adhered to.
Consider when
setting next
precept
May 2026
Actions undertaken
Clerk’s Salary a d
PAYE
L
M
Clerk should be provided with relevant training, reference books,
access to assistance and legal advice through membership of
SLCC/HALC
Clerk as RFO to make quarterly payments to HMRC and report at
next meeting
Monitor
working
conditions
Existing
procedures
adequate
May 2026
Employer
Liability
Non compliance with
employment law
L
Undertake adequate training and seek advice from HALC.
Review Clerk’s contract annually
Existing
procedures
adequate.
May 2026
Contractors
Non-compliance with
terms of contract
L
Review contracts annually
Existing
procedures
adequate
May 2026
Mem ber’s Responsibilities
Members
Interests
Conflict of interest
Register of members
Interests
M
L
Councillors have a duty to declare any interest at the start of the
meeting
Register of Members Interests form to be reviewed at least on
an annual basis.
Need to
consider new
regulations with
reference to
Standards and
Register of
Interests.
May 2026
