Agenda item

The Committee considered a report of the Interim Chief Internal Auditor and Corporate Fraud Manager which provided the update activity and informed Members of the work that has been carried out as at 30 September 2020 (for copy see file of minutes).

Councillor Temple referred to the increase in fraud as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and asked if the department needed more resources and the practicality of temporary redeployment to focus on that area of work.  The Corporate Fraud Manager confirmed that the team was well staffed in comparison to some Local Authorities in the region and although they had needed to put additional resources towards the risks associated with COVID-19, they were working considerably well according to benchmarking and that once the vaccine was rolled out it would enable the Fraud Team to resume normal work and a reduction in COVID-19 related work.

The Chair added that Durham was regarded as an exemplar by other local authorities and Councillor Shuttleworth praised the Revenues and Benefits Team for their response to COVID-19 as businesses were applying for and receiving grants on the same day.

Resolved:

That the report be noted.