Agenda item

The Head of Internal Audit and Corporate Anti-Fraud will submit a report providing an account of the work of the Corporate Anti-Fraud Team for the period 1^st April to 31^st December, 2018.

The Head of Internal Audit and Corporate Anti-Fraud submitted a report providing an account of the work of the Corporate Anti-Fraud Team for the period 1^st April to 31^st December, 2018.

The report gave details of the action taken and outcome of investigations undertaken in relation:

·         Council Tax Support Investigations

·         Council Tax Liability Claims

·         Right to Buy investigations

·         Insurance Checks

·         Corporate Investigations

Data matching work was continuing in relation to the National Fraud Initiative and a breakdown of the work undertaken was provided.  It was noted that to the end of December, 2018 the total monetary value of the fraud and error identified amounted to £272,081.74.  The National Fraud Initiative was a biennial data matching exercise that all UK authorities were required to participate in.  An analysis of the NFI outcomes for the four exercises covering the period 2010/11 to 2016/17 was provided.

The Team continued to support an investigative support service to Berneslai Homes to identify potential fraudulent tenancies and a summary of alleged tenancy fraud referrals received for investigation during the period was provided.  It was noted that the total amount of cases had doubled when compared to the previous year.  In addition, three further complex cases that had been opened in 2016 which were delayed due to legal investigations and technical issues and had yet to be concluded.

Work had been undertaken in relation to Fraud Awareness and the first ever Fraud Awareness Week had been held between the 17^th and 21^st September, 2018.  Due to its success it was hoped that this could be repeated this year involving more teams within the Council.

Training continued to be an important element of the work of the Team and Anti Bribery and Whistleblowing Training Courses had been developed which would be delivered via the Council’s online training facility.

Whilst the primary focus of the Team was the Council, it offered a service to the Internal Audit’s External Clients where this was in the best interests of both the external client and Council n respect of competing priorities and resources.

In the ensuing discussion, particular reference was made to the following:

·         In response to specific questioning, it was noted that information on the Benefits, Taxation and Income Department Single Person Discount review could be provided

·         Information was provided in relation to the support given to management in respect of 9 cases investigated.  It was noted that these largely related to time recording for which a Written Warning had been issued.  The Head of Internal Audit and Corporate Anti-Fraud outlined the way in which the Team worked with management on such issues and stated that advice would be given to Services if it was thought that a sanction was not appropriate

·         In relation to the National Fraud Initiative, reference was made to the overpayments particularly in relation to residential care homes.  The reasons for this were outlined and it was noted that the amounts had been fully recovered.  Appropriate action had now been taken to minimise the risk of this reoccuring

RESOLVED:

(i)            That the progress made in the development of effective arrangements and measures to minimise the risk of fraud and corruption be noted; and

(ii)               That further regular reports be submitted on internal and external fraud investigated by the Corporate Anti-Fraud Team.