Agenda item

The Committee will receive a report containing an account of the work of the Corporate Anti-Fraud Team from 1st April 2016 to 30th June 2016.

The Head of Internal Audit and Corporate Anti-Fraud submitted a report providing an overview of the work of the Corporate Anti-Fraud Team for the period 1^st April to 30^th June, 2016.

The report provided details of the following activities in which the Team were currently involved:

·         Council Tax Support investigations

·         Council Tax fraudulent liability claims – including the review of Single Person Discount

·         Right to Buy investigations

·         Corporate Investigations

·         National Fraud Initiative involvement

·         Tenancy Fraud

·         Proactive work to review and revise fraud related policies and the development of E-Learning fraud awareness material

The report also gave details of the positive impact the Team was having in tackling fraud which was very much welcomed.  It was noted that the Team’s work was now having significant results as initiatives were rolled out end became fully embedded within the Council’s processes and procedures.

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

·         Information was provided on the number of cases, workload and agencies in which the Team was involved

·         Work was still progressing in relation to Single Person Discounts to identify council tax payers fraudulently claiming.  To date, cancellations had resulted in an additional £321,947 Council Tax income being raised across the identified accounts.  A further update would be provided for the September meeting of the Committee.

·         Arising out of the above discussion, reference was made to discounts available for people living part of the year abroad.  It was noted that the discount requirements were listed within statute

·         Right to Buy applications were continuing to rise and in response to questioning, information was provided on

o    the eligibility criteria and discounts available

o   the liaison arrangements with other departments and agencies to identify potential fraud

·         the work undertaken in relation to the National Fraud Initiative and the provision of information by the Council in relation to the 12 mandatory sets of data

·         work was continuing with Berneslai Homes in relation to Tenancy Fraud and preparations were being made to process the first batch of cases for prosecution

·         information on the E-Learning fraud awareness material could be provided for the November ‘workshop’ meeting

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 the Committee receive six monthly progress reports on internal and external fraud investigated by the Corporate Anti-Fraud Team.