Issue

risk management

15 stories · discussed at 34 council meetings · 21 councils

Councils are currently assessing the effectiveness of their risk management, focusing on governance, cyber security, and financial stability.

Merton Council recently approved a Corporate Landlord Model to manage its property portfolio, aiming to ensure assets are safe and fit for purpose. In July 2026, an audit of Tower Hamlets Council's schools revealed significant governance gaps, while Kingston Council's risk management was described as "reasonable" in June 2026, prompting questions about assurance levels.

Councils are also addressing specific risks, including cyber attacks, with Hammersmith and Fulham Council facing a high risk in March 2026 following a November 2025 incident. Several councils, including Hillingdon, Ealing, Islington, and Hackney, are scheduled to discuss risk management at their Pensions Committees or Boards in September 2026.

Risk management involves identifying, assessing, and controlling threats to an organisation's capital and earnings. This includes ensuring effective internal controls and governance, which Tower Hamlets Council's external auditor highlighted as having "significant weaknesses" in March 2026, leading to a disclaimed audit opinion for 2024/25.

Key facts

  1. Merton Council approved a Corporate Landlord Model for property management on September 21, 2026. Source
  2. An audit of Tower Hamlets Council's schools revealed "significant gaps" in governance on July 23, 2026. Source
  3. Kingston Council's risk management was described as "reasonable" by its Chief Audit Executive on June 24, 2026. Source
  4. Hammersmith and Fulham Council faced a high risk of cyber attacks in March 2026 after a November 2025 incident. Source
  5. Tower Hamlets Council received a disclaimed audit opinion for its 2024/25 financial statements in March 2026. 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 30 September 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.

Latest stories

  1. 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
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. 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
  6. 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
  7. 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
  8. Sutton Council Addresses Cyber-Attack Risk to Pension Fund Data Sutton Council is taking proactive steps to safeguard pension fund data against potential cyber-attacks, as highlighted during a recent Pension Committee meeting. Sutton 13 December 2025