Agenda item
Corporate Anti-Fraud Team 2018/19 Plan and Strategy
- Meeting of Audit and Governance Committee, Wednesday 21 March 2018 4.00 pm (Item 67.)
- View the reasons why item 67. is restricted
The Head of Internal Audit and Corporate Anti-Fraud will submit a report presenting, for approval, the Corporate Anti-Fraud Team Plan for 2018/19 and supporting Anti-Fraud Strategy.
Minutes:
The Head of Internal Audit spoke to the report, which had been previously circulated. The attention of Members was drawn to the areas of activity within the plan, which highlighted the increasing emphasis in recent years on avoiding fraud. However, it was noted that if evidence suggested fraud had occurred then resources would be deployed appropriately.
Members heard how the centralised response to the National Fraud Initiative had been very successful in ensuring all data matches were investigated, and accordingly 100 days had been set aside in the plan.
Assurances were given to the Committee in relation to the 3 person team that the investment in this area more than paid for itself, and it was noted how details of successful prosecutions had been publicised within the local press.
Members noted the efforts to launch an internal Corporate Anti-Fraud Group, harnessing key individuals, to share collective experience and expertise.
Attention was drawn to the Corporate Anti-Fraud Team Strategy, as appended to the report, and as part of publicising the issue and ensuring a Council wide response, online training had recently been reviewed.
Members heard of the changes to fraudulent activity; with fraud now tending to be digital and online. Work with IT and Information Governance continued in respect of this. The Committee also acknowledged the heightened potential for fraud due to the increased proportion of external procurement, and the balance required to ensure appropriate levels of control whilst not hampering efficiency.
RESOLVED:-
(i) That the Corporate Anti-Fraud Team plan 2018/19 and supporting strategy be agreed, acknowledging the need for the Head of Internal Audit to apply the plan flexibly, allowing for planned proactive/detective days to be diverted to reactive investigation work as required; and
(ii) That the Audit Committee receives regular monitoring reports to demonstrate progress against the plan including information where the plan has materially varied from that originally agreed.