Agenda item

The Committee received a report of the Corporate Director of Resources which provided details of the work carried out by the Corporate Fraud Team during the period 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023 (for copy see file of minutes).

It was noted that there had been a reduction in council tax fraud cases following the implementation of a procedural change which included a continual review of Single Person Discounts. Reviews and cross checking was undertake on a monthly basis which identified claimant errors or fraud much quicker and allowed corrective action to be implemented.

Responding to a query from Councillor B Kellett regarding the 65% increase in fraud cases, the Fraud Manager advised that the way fraud cases were accounted for had been changed and that this, plus the cost of living crises, had contributed to the increase. He added that tenancy investigations were no longer taken into account, and that the council investigations now referenced probable fraud cases. He suggested that the increase would be temporary and would settle down next year.

Responding to queries from Mr I Rudd regarding the irregularity fraud listed on Appendix 2 and Covid related fraud, the Fraud Manager explained that the irregularity fraud related to an attempted mandate fraud that had been successfully intercepted. In relation to Covid fraud, the Fraud Manager advised that the Covid fraud cases were complex and investigations were now concluding. He explained the difficulties to locate individuals and the need to work with other authorities to help trace perpetrators as key issues. The Corporate Director of Resources added that the County Council were financially protected and that any fraud that could not be recovered would be a cost for Central Government.

Councillor T Smith welcomed the Fraud Hub pilot and asked if there were any plans to extend the project further. The Fraud Manager advised that the project was overseen by the Cabinet Office Digital Economy Act Review Board that provided data sharing powers to control debt and combat fraud against the public sector. The project was in the pilot phase until October 2023 and would then be reviewed. He added that he was involved with various forums with Northumberland, Sunderland, North Tyneside and South Tyneside who were awaiting the outcome from the pilot review.

Resolved:

That the contents of the report be noted.