Agenda item

The Committee considered a report of the Chief Internal Auditor and Corporate Fraud Manager which presented the Protecting the Public Purse Update Report for 2019/20 (for copy see file of Minutes).

The report provided an update on the following:

·          The work of the Corporate Fraud Team;

·          Action taken to raise awareness of the risk of fraud and corruption to assist in embedding a strong counter fraud culture throughout the organisation;

·          Reported cases of potential fraud and irregularity reported during 2018/2019;

·          Proactive Counter Fraud work completed;

·          Progress on the Council’s participation in the National Fraud Initiative (NFI) 2019/2020;

·          Fraud Reporting;

·          Fraud Training;

·          Fraud Awards.

The Chief Internal Auditor and Corporate Fraud Manager informed the Committee that the number of referrals over the past four years had resulted in £3.5 million in savings and was as a result of partnership working.  He was also pleased to report on the work relating to helping with the National Strategy.  The Chair asked the Chief Internal Auditor and Corporate Fraud Manager to pass on the thanks of the Committee to the Fraud Manager and the Team.

Further to questions from Mr I Rudd relating to the better than national average performance relating to procurement fraud the Chief Internal Auditor and Corporate Fraud Manager explained that he would hope it was as a result of better controls in place, adding that there was also discussions with CIPFA and the Home Office in terms of how Local Authorities reported such issues to have a more consistent classification. 

The Chair asked if External Auditors had any view, with Mr J Collins noting that External Audit would be interested from the audit and value for money aspect perspectives and noted while he did not have any comparable data at this stage though it was an area to be looked into if helpful. 

Resolved:

That the contents of the report be noted.