Issue

Risk Management

16 stories · discussed at 38 council meetings · 24 councils

Councils are scrutinising risk management effectiveness and addressing specific threats like cyber attacks and financial weaknesses.

Hackney Council's performance monitoring framework, which integrates risk management, faced scrutiny in October 2026 over target setting and data quality, a report to the Scrutiny Panel said. Earlier, in June 2026, Kingston Council's Chief Audit Executive described its risk management arrangements as 'reasonable,' prompting questions from councillors about assurance levels. Tower Hamlets Council's Audit Committee flagged 'red assurance levels' in financial areas in March 2026, leading to a disclaimed audit opinion for 2024/25 due to significant weaknesses, according to an external auditor's report.

Cyber security remains a key concern, with Hammersmith and Fulham Council facing a high risk of attacks in March 2026 after a November 2025 incident, a report to the Audit Committee said. Sutton Council is also addressing cyber-attack risks to pension fund data, identified as an amber-rated risk in December 2025. Separately, an audit of Tower Hamlets schools in July 2026 revealed significant governance gaps, including issues with governing body terms of reference and DBS checks.

Councils are also reviewing their risk management governance and processes. Lewisham Council updated its Corporate Risk Register in November 2025, while Hackney Pension Board updated its terms of reference in September 2025 to include a greater focus on risk management. Enfield Council considered renaming its General Purposes Committee to Audit Committee in October 2025 to sharpen its focus on finance and risk management. No future meetings are currently scheduled in the provided material.

Key facts

  1. Hackney Council's performance monitoring framework, integrating risk management, faced scrutiny in October 2026. Source
  2. Kingston Council's risk management arrangements were described as 'reasonable' by its Chief Audit Executive in June 2026. Source
  3. Tower Hamlets Council's Audit Committee flagged 'red assurance levels' in financial areas in March 2026. Source
  4. Hammersmith and Fulham Council faces a high risk of cyber attacks, identified in March 2026. Source
  5. Sutton Council is addressing cyber-attack risk to pension fund data, identified in December 2025. Source
About this summary

This summary was written automatically from our published stories and the council meeting records they draw on. It describes what councils have discussed and decided; it does not take a view on any decision. Each key fact links to the story it comes from. Updated 9 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.

Latest stories

  1. Hackney Council's performance monitoring framework faces scrutiny over target setting and data quality Hackney Council's performance monitoring framework is facing scrutiny from the Scrutiny Panel, with significant concerns raised about the appropriateness of target setting and... Hackney 9 October 2026
  2. Merton Council Adopts Corporate Landlord Model for Property Management Merton Council has approved a new property management model, adopting a Corporate Landlord Model to oversee its extensive property portfolio. This strategic shift, confirmed at... Merton 25 September 2026
  3. Schools audit reveals 'significant gaps' in governance An audit of Tower Hamlets Council's schools has revealed significant gaps in governance, with two schools receiving a limited assurance opinion. The findings, presented to the... Tower Hamlets 24 July 2026
  4. Kingston Council's 'reasonable' risk management questioned over assurance levels Kingston Council's risk management arrangements have been described as reasonable by its Chief Audit Executive, a term that has prompted questions from councillors regarding the... Kingston upon Thames 26 June 2026
  5. Cyber attack risk high for H&F Council Hammersmith and Fulham Council faces a high risk of cyber attacks, according to a report presented to the Audit Committee. The council's IT systems were compromised in a cyber... Hammersmith and Fulham 17 March 2026
  6. Audit Committee Flags 'Red' Assurance on Key Financial Areas, Leading to Disclaimed Audit Opinion Tower Hamlets Council's Audit Committee has flagged red assurance levels in several key financial areas, according to the latest external auditor's report. The Audit Results... Tower Hamlets 15 March 2026
  7. Wandsworth Audit Committee Reviews Risk Management and Risk Appetite Amidst Funding Challenges Wandsworth Council's Audit Committee convened on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, to review the authority's risk management and risk appetite, with a particular focus on the huge,... Wandsworth 13 March 2026
  8. Audit Committee Reports Strong Control Environment and Positive Assurance on Internal Controls Hammersmith and Fulham Council's Audit Committee has reported a strong control environment, according to its annual report for the 2024/25 municipal year. The committee reviewed... Hammersmith and Fulham 30 January 2026