Latest News

 

  • ALARM ANNUAL AWARDS RESULTS

Congratulations to the winners of the 2008 ALARM Annual Awards:

 

PEOPLE RISK AWARD

Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service

 

ASSET RISK AWARD

Derbyshire County Council

 

STRATEGIC RISK AWARD

Sunderland City Council

 

OPERATIONAL RISK AWARD

Powys County Council

 

RISK MANAGER OF THE YEAR

Dr. David Hancock, London Development Agency

 

The ALARM Awards are given for excellence in the field of risk management in the public sector and are judged by a panel of experts from academia, local government and Awards sponsors Capita BEST, Risk Management Partners, Travelers, and Zurich Municipal.

 

Dr. Hancock received the award of ALARM Risk Manager of the Year in recognition of his work in raising the standard of risk management in the London Development Agency and embedding strategic risk management across the organisation.

 

Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue won the People Risk Award for their initiative, Drive to Arrive, which, in requiring Manchester fire fighters to drive more safely, has reduced injuries to the public by 75% over the past year.

 

Derbyshire County Council took the Asset Risk Award for its efforts to reduce theft of IT equipment from schools and other Council owned premises. The measures that Derbyshire put in place have reduced losses suffered by the Council by 82%.

 

Sunderland City Council’s Safer Sunderland Partnership was awarded with the Strategic Risk honour for its work in reducing crime in the area.

 

Powys County Council ‘s work was recognised with the Operational Risk Award for its efforts to reduce the risk of motor accidents involving  members of its staff.

 

The winners were announced at the ALARM Annual Awards Dinner which took place at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole Hotel, on 30th June. The event was hosted by TV and radio personality, Paul Ross and attended by more than 500 VIPs and guests.

 

Photos from the event are available to download from http://www.flickr.com/photos/alarmawards2008

  • ALARM AGM 2008

The 2008 ALARM AGM took place at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole Hotel on 29th June. Members voted in person and by proxy vote on seven resolutions. The results of the votes are:

 

RESOLUTION 1

 

To remove the 9 year maximum term of office for Board members

Resolution not carried

 

 

RESOLUTION 2

 

To amend the articles of association so that the tenure of the appointed Chair and Chair-Elect shall serve to delay re-election to the Board where applicable

Resolution carried

 

 

RESOLUTION 3

 

To change the articles to allow the Election of named officers to be done annually, rather than at the first meeting of the AGM

Resolution carried

 

 

RESOLUTION 4

 

To replace section 8.17.2 with “the Chairman shall not be entitled to hold office for two consecutive years”

Resolution carried

 

 

RESOLUTION 5

 

To insert new section;  8.17.4 “In the event of the resignation of any named officer ……” as identified in the e-mail of 17th May

Resolution carried

 

 

RESOLUTION 6

 

To insert a new section 14.24 “by  e-mail or similar electronic transmission”

Resolution carried

 

 

RESOLUTION 7

 

To define auditor within the articles glossary full definition on e-mail of 17th May

Resolution carried

 

 

Full details of the numbers of votes cast at the AGM and by proxy vote can be downloaded by clicking here.

 

Subject to the necessary legal checks, the revised Constitution will be available from this website in early August.

 

  • BOARD ELECTION RESULTS 2008

 

Following the Board election process, which took place in June, the following members have been elected to the Board of ALARM for 3 year terms of office:

 

  • Simon Davis
  • Paul Dudley
  • Richard Feltham
  • Robin Powell

Carolyn Halpin has been elected to the Board for a one year term of office.

 

  • CHANGES TO THE ALARM BOARD

ALARM is pleased to welcome Richard Feltham as the new Chairman for 2008-2009. Richard is Corporate Governance and Risk Manager with Kent Fire and Rescue and brings extensive experience of both risk management and ALARM’s activities to the role. Following the Board elections, we also welcome Robin Powell, Risk Management Adviser with Transform Sandwell, as a Board member.

 

Sadly, ALARM has to say goodbye to Immediate Past Chair, Mike Keating, who is taking up a role in the private sector. We are grateful for the dedication and leadership shown by Mike in his time on the ALARM Board and as Chair of ALARM Northern Ireland, and wish him well in his new role.

 

Peter Andrews will retain the role of Immediate Past Chair for a further year following Mike's departure.

  • ALARM ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2009 KEYNOTE ADDRESS

Peter Wilkinson, Managing Director of Policy, Research and Studies at the Audit Commission gave delegates at the ALARM Annual Conference an insight into the Commission’s views of CAA inspection, an overview of recent research on both partnership risk and flooding, and an encouraging picture of how risk management is supporting innovation.

 

The full presentation, titled ‘Risk Aware, Not Risk Averse’ is available to download by

clicking here.

 

  • ALARM ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2009 CALL FOR PAPERS

Have you found the solution to tackling key risk issues in your organisation? Could your example inspire and inform your fellow risk practitioners? We are looking for ALARM members to share their knowledge with delegates at the ALARM Annual Conference at the Bournemouth International Conference Centre on 21st to 23rd June 2009.

 

If you would like to participate as a speaker, download and submit the ‘Call for Papers’  by Friday 5th September.

 

 

ALARM 2008 AWARDS FINALISTS ANNOUNCED

With the first round of judging now complete, we are pleased to be able to announce the finalists in this year’s ALARM AWARDS.  Congratulations to all the short-listed entrants.  

 

The finalists are:

 

PEOPLE RISK AWARD

Bedfordshire County Council

Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue

Suffolk Fire & Rescue

Wirral Council

 

ASSET RISK AWARD

Adur District Council

Darlington Borough Council

Derbyshire County Council

South Lanarkshire Council

 

STRATEGIC RISK AWARD

Hertfordshire CC & Welwyn Hatfeld BC

London Borough of Croydon

Sevenoaks District Council

Sunderland City Council

Tyne & Wear Fire & Rescue

 

OPERATIONAL RISK AWARDS

Darlington Borough Council

Gloucestershire County Council

Powys County Council

Windsor and Maidenhead

 

RISK MANAGER OF THE YEAR

David Hancock, London Development Agency

Theresa Mortimer, Gloucestershire County Council

John Rodway, Adur District Council

Elaine Taylor, Bedfordshire County Council

 

The Awards winners will be announced at the Annual Awards Dinner on Monday 30th June at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole Hotel

  • PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION OF ALARM

The Board of ALARM has recently undertaken a review of its Articles of Association, which have been in operation since the incorporation of the organisation as a Company Limited by Guarantee in November 2004.  As a result, we are seeking your approval to make changes that we believe will better support the changing needs of our growing organisation.

 

The proposed changes to the Articles of Association can be dowloaded here.

 

What are the changes being proposed?

The proposed changes fall into four broad categories;

1.      Our processes for electing Directors to the Board

2.      Our succession arrangements for named officials

3.      The way we serve membership notices

4.      The definition of Auditor for the purposes of the organisation

 

How will the vote be conducted?

All members of the organisation will receive a copy of the proposed changes.  The vote will be conducted at the AGM, to be held on Sunday 29th June 2008, in the Westminster Suite of the Birmingham Hilton Metropole.

 

Full address details are available on the web site and on the notification of the AGM.

 

Voting members wishing to vote, but not intending to be present at the AGM may seek a proxy vote from admin@alarm-uk.org .

 

Voting members are those full individual or corporate members who have agreed to accept a liability of £1, should the Company Limited by Guarantee cease trading owing debts. 

Members wishing to register as a voting member, or to check on current status, can contact the office by telephone or by e-mailing admin@alarm-uk.com

 

Should you have any concerns or wish to discuss issues outlined in this letter please contact secretary@alarm-uk.org

 

Timetable

 

Non voting members have until the 27 May 2008 to register as a voting member in order to participate in this AGM

 

Voting members wishing to exercise their right to vote by proxy have until 20 June 2008 to request, complete and return a proxy voting form.

 

The outcome of this vote will be declared at the AGM on Sunday 29th June 2008.

 

 

 

  • ALARM ANNUAL CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION 30th JUNE - 1st JULY, BIRMINGHAM NEC HILTON METROPOLE HOTEL, BIRMINGHAM

The full programme for the ALARM Annual Conference and Exhibition is now available to download.

 

The theme this year is ‘Inspiration, Innovation and Information’. We have over 60 hours of informative educational sessions, highlighting innovative risk management practice, and a range of inspirational speakers including keynote presenters, Heather Rabbatts, former Lambeth Council Chief Executive, and Peter Wilkinson of the Audit Commission

 

Book your place now to ensure that you are registered for your first choice of workshops! 

 

Delegates click here to download the Delegate Brochure and Booking Form.

 

Exhibitors click here to download the Exhibition Brochure and Booking Form.

 

  • ALARM ANNOUNCES CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP FOR 2008

ALARM is pleased to announce that 12 major companies have entered into Corporate Sponsorship agreements with the organisation in 2008. 

 

  • Corporate Sponsorship enables ALARM to enhance its services to members, and expand its activities by:
  • providing the membership with vital access to the expertise of commercial and professional companies;
  • aiding the dissemination of knowledge and good practice, through presentations and publications;
  • supporting the activities and events of ALARM country, regional and sector groups;
    commissioning and publishing research;
  • enhancing the website; and
  • representing both individual members and the wider risk management profession at central government level

 

All of which helps progress ALARM as the UK voice for public service risk management

 

In 2008, ALARM Corporate Sponsorship has been organised into four tiers – Platinum, Gold, and Silver, which are UK-wide and Bronze, which links to a single ALARM group.

 

ALARM Corporate Sponsors in 2008 are:

 

Platinum Tier


Risk Management Partners
St Paul Travelers
Zurich Municipal

 

Gold Tier
PricewaterhouseCoopers Services

 

Silver Tier
Capita BEST
Crutes
Cunningham Lindsey
Halliwells
Heath Lambert
Marsh
Weightmans

Barlow Lyde & Gilbert

 

Bronze Tier
Langleys (ALARM North East)

 

We look forward to working with our Sponsors to further enhance the standing of ALARM as the premier risk management body for public services in the UK.


  • REQUEST FOR VOLUNTEERS TO JOIN A NEW KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATOR SUB-GROUP

The Board recognises that the risk management Key Performance Indicators developed by ALARM and the Audit Commission have been around for a while now.  It is essential that these measures, by which the performance of our organisations in the area of risk management are evaluated, must keep pace with developments in corporate governance and risk management.  The Board considers that the time is now right for the measures to be brought into line with current good practice.  To undertake the task of refreshing the measures it is setting up a formal sub-group of the Benchmarking Special Interest Group, chaired by Nick Chown, with representation from right across the public sector including the Police and Fire Sector Groups, and Local Authorities.  The differing requirements of Country Groups will be taken into account.  The aim is again to work on this important task in conjunction with the Audit Commission.  We shall also seek representation from the Institute of Internal Auditors and Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary. 

 

The Chair of the forum will be seeking input from its members on the best way for it to operate.  However, he aims for it to be quite a quick piece of work.  It will not require a major commitment of time and neither will it be open-ended - hopefully the work can be completed in six months or so with a two or three physical meetings at most and consultation by electronic means in between. 

 

Volunteers to join the new Key Performance Indicator Sub-Group are sought.  This is an opportunity for members to influence future good practice in the area of public sector risk management performance measurement.  Expressions of interest to Nick Chown please at e: nick.chown@met.police.uk or on  t:020 7161 2941

 

  • ALARM ANNUAL AWARDS 2008

Now is the time to start thinking about preparing your entry for the ALARM Annual Awards 2008. Entry forms will be sent to all members by the end of this month and will also be available to download from the ALARM website.  The categories for entry will be Asset, People, Operational and Strategic Risk, as well as the prestigious award for ALARM Risk Manager of the Year.  So, if you or your team have a risk management initiative that you are proud of and that has proved beneficial for your organisation, or you think your personal professional achievements are worthy of recognition, then make sure you enter this prestigious awards scheme. 

 

ALARM is grateful to Capita BEST, RMP, St Paul Travelers and Zurich Municipal for their continuing sponsorship and support of these awards.

 

  • ALARM & CILA: THE SUMMER FLOODS OF 2007

ALARM has recently entered into discussions with the Chartered Institute of Loss Adjustors about how we might work more closely together on the issue of flooding.  If you have experience in preparing for and/or dealing with the aftermath of major floods, and would like to be kept informed of developments, please send your contact details to admin@alarm-uk.org

 

A copy of a CILA Press Notice relating to the Summer Floods can be accessed here: www.cila.co.uk/news-events/news

 

  • ALARM WELCOMES NEW PUBLIC RISK ADVISORY BODY

Gordon Brown has announced the formation of a new body, the Risk and Regulation Advisory Council (RRAC), tasked with ‘transforming the way Government deals with risk’. The formation of the Council was a key recommendation of the Better Regulation Commission’s ‘Risk, Responsibility, Regulation: Whose Risk is it Anyway?’ report. The RRAC replaces the Better Regulation Commission which will now close. 

 

More information on the structure and operation of the RRAC and the closure of the Better Regulation Commission can be found at http://www.brc.gov.uk/. The RRAC website can be found at www.berr.gov.uk/about/economics-statistics/rrac/page43341.html

 

  • ALARM CONFERENCE 2008 CALL FOR PAPERS

Could you share your knowledge and experience with ALARM members at the 2008 Conference?

 

ALARM is looking for presenters, speakers and workshop leaders for its 16th Annual Conference 29th June to 1st July 2008 at the Hilton Metropole Hotel, Birmingham. The theme for next year's Conference is ‘Information, Innovation and Inspiration’.

 

If you would like to present, you should submit a proposal to ALARM by 28th September.

Please click here for the proposal form and submission guidelines.

  • CONFERENCE 2008 EARLY BIRD DISCOUNTS

Book now for early bird savings on full and day delegate rates for the ALARM 2008 Conference. Contact admin@alarm-uk.org to reserve your place.

  • ANNUAL AWARDS & CONFERENCE VIDEOS NOW ONLINE

Previews of the ALARM Annual Awards & Conference DVD are now available online.

 

The videos, created by Nice TV, and show at the Annual Conference in Cardiff, are available to view by clicking here.

 

ALARM members will receive a copy of the full Conference DVD free with the September issue of Strategic Risk magazine.

  • ALARM ANNUAL AWARDS 2007

Congratulations to the ALARM Annual Award winners 2007.

 

This year saw a record number of entries for the ALARM Awards and the judges were highly impressed with the breadth and standard of the nominations this year.

 

The winners are:

 

Risk Manager of the Year sponsored by RMP Jan Collins, Swindon Borough Council
People Risk sponsored by Capita BEST Sunderland City Council
Asset Risk sponsored byZurich Municipal Wirral Council
Strategic Risk sponsored by Zurich Municipal London Borough of Croydon
Operational Risk sponsored by St Paul Travelers Sunderland City Council

 

ALARM members can log in to read the winning submissions by clicking here

 

The Annual Awards brochure can be downloaded by clicking here.

 

  •  ALARM ELECTIONS

The elections to the ALARM Board took place at the AGM on 3rd July. Congratulations to re-elected members Peter Andrews, Sharon Roots, Tracy Barnett, and Mike Keating, who has succeeded Peter Andrews as Chairman.

 

ALARM is also pleased to welcome two new members to the Board: Nick Chown and Simon Davies.

 

Click on the links below to view the CVs of these Board members.

 

Peter Andrews Hampshire County Council
Tracy Barnett London Borough of Camden
Nicholas Chown Metropolitan Police Service
Simon Davis Dyfed-Powys Police
Mike Keating Belfast City Council
Sharon Roots London Borough of Barking & Dagenham

 

 

  • NEW! HAVE YOUR SAY ON LIVE CONSULTATIONS

ALARM members can now review and respond to live consultations via the website. To view and give feedback on current consultations, click here to visit the Consultations page.

 

  • NEW! MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS

 

Discounts on products and services exlusive to ALARM members are now available to view online. Visit the Membership Benefits page to see the latest offers.

  • ALARM ANNUAL REPORT 2006

The ALARM Annual Report 2006 has now been published. The report contains information on the ALARM annual accounts and performance against key objectives. Download the full report.

 

 

  • AUDIT COMMISSION SEEING THE LIGHT  REPORT

The Audit Commission has published a new report, Seeing the Light, encouraging local authorities to improve performance through innovation and effective risk management. Download the report from the Audit Commission website.

 

 

 

  • New report aims to give councils confidence to challenge risk-averse public spaces

Living with Risk: promoting better public space design, a new report published by the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE), aims to give councils the confidence to challenge risk-averse decisions in the design of public spaces.

 

The report, supported by ALARM, identifies a number of lessons that can be learned: not treating small risks as though they were big risks; involve the public in the design process to understand how they perceive risk; and design for the norm, not the exception.

 

CABE says that a ‘strong and popular belief in a compensation culture’ leads to disproportionate responses to risk by councils. The report notes, however, that the compensation phenomenon is largely an imaginary one, fuelled by the media, ‘no win, no fee’ companies and a desire for people to blame others for their accidents.

 

The full CABE report is available at http://www.cabe.org.uk

 

Sensible risk management strategies and the compensation culture will feature at the ALARM Annual Conference in Cardiff on 1st - 3rd July 2007. Conference brochures and booking forms are available at http://www.alarm-uk.org/.

 

 

  • 2012 RISKS & REWARDS SEMINAR - 22ND MARCH 2007

             Following the success of this event held in London, the speaker presentations are now

             available to download by clicking the following links.

 

             Steve Yates

             David Boss

             David Law

             Janet Goodland

             Ashley Easen

 

 

 

  • ALARM RISK MANAGEMENT SURVEY 

     

    Risk management continues to grow in importance within local authorities according to a new survey from ALARM.  To download the press release, click here.