Building stronger risk management strategies through our collaborative Claims Forum

At CivicRisk Mutual, every voice counts, and we’re committed to listening. Not only do we practice this philosophy in our day-to-day operations, but we also encourage our members to come together and share their thoughts, ideas and experiences with each other. After all, that’s what the spirit of mutuality is all about — it’s about the power of people working together.

To that end, we’re proud to discuss the recent creation of our Claims Forum and how it’s helping to build stronger risk management strategies for our local government members.

The motivation

Rebecca Ashdown, Claims & Risk Officer at Camden Council, shared with us her motivation for recommending the establishment of the Claims Forum, which was to provide a platform for claims officers to come together to discuss common issues and share learnings.

The results

Since its inception in August 2022, the Forum has successfully convened on three occasions, with plans to continue these gatherings biannually.

The first session took place in November 2022, addressing incidents such as dog attacks, seed pods, potholes, issues at leisure centres, and golf ball-related accidents.

The second session followed in February 2023, where the primary discussions revolved around risk mitigation at aquatic facilities, as well as incidents involving bicycles and scooters.

The most recent, the third session, was held in August 2023. This session was centered on the importance of signage around playgrounds, skate parks, rock pools, and mountain bike tracks. Additionally, there were in-depth discussions on asset management and claims delegations. These topics were chosen based on the observations of our claims managers who consistently analyse trends across the local government industry.

We look forward to our upcoming sessions and encourage all members to participate for enhanced knowledge sharing and networking opportunities with their fellow members.

The success of the Claims Forum is evident from the positive feedback received from participants, and as Rebecca put it herself:

“The meetings have been successful. We’re able to talk freely and bring items to the group. Through collaboration, we’re sharing and learning from each other.”

The opportunities

Looking ahead, there are opportunities to further leverage the Claims Forum to drive improvements in risk management outcomes. For instance, Rebecca encourages each council to identify those members with robust systems and processes in place — and share them with their fellow developing members. This saves valuable resources and helps mitigate risks.

Join like-minded councils

At CivicRisk Mutual, we believe that initiatives such as the Claims Forum are a testament to the power of collaboration and knowledge sharing. By working together and discussing experiences, we can identify effective solutions that will benefit entire communities. This approach creates a smoother pathway for corrective actions than if each council acted in isolation.

To learn more about membership and how we can help you create safer communities, contact us today. We’d love to hear from you!