Agenda item

The Committee received a report of the Corporate Director of Resources that provided an update on activity relating to Protecting the Public Purse that had been carried out by the Corporate Fraud Team during the first six months of 2023/24 (for copy see file of minutes).

Mr I Rudd commented that it had been very useful to include case studies to illustrate how things worked.

Mr C Robson thanked P Gibbon for his extensive report and had also found the case studies helpful that brought the work to life that showed what action took place behind the scenes.

Mr I Rudd questioned whether the covid support scheme was specific to Durham County Council or if they acted on behalf of the Government to administer it.  He also asked if it was monitored to detect fraud.

P Gibbon, Fraud Manager responded that the covid support scheme was a government scheme that the council administered on their behalf.  Investigations were ongoing as there were some cases that there were potential acts of fraud.

Mr I Rudd asked if they were isolated cases or if there were a few to investigate.

P Gibbon, Fraud Manager replied that there were 2 to 3 cases left to investigate and push to prosecute but the cases were complex.

P Darby clarified that several businesses had received the covid grant if they were eligible to pay rent but there had been no restrictions in place so in essence they could spend the money on what they wanted and left some landlords without the rent being paid.

Resolved:

That the contents of the report be noted