Committee Report Checklist
Stage 1
Report checklist – responsibility of report owner
|
ITEM |
Yes / No |
Date |
|
Councillor engagement / input from Chair prior to briefing |
Y |
26/01/26 |
|
Commissioner engagement (if report focused on issues of concern to Commissioners such as Finance, Assets etc) |
N/A |
|
|
Relevant Group Head review |
Y |
18/02/26 |
|
MAT+ review (to have been circulated at least 5 working days before Stage 2) |
N/A |
|
|
This item is on the Forward Plan for the relevant committee |
|
|
|
Reviewed by |
|
|
|
Finance comments (circulate to Finance) |
LH |
18/02/26 |
|
Risk comments (circulate to Lee O’Neil) |
LH |
18/02/26 |
|
Legal comments (circulate to Legal team) |
LH |
18/02/26 |
|
HR comments (if applicable) |
|
For reports with material financial or legal implications the author should engage with the respective teams at the outset and receive input to their reports prior to asking for MO or s151 comments.
Do not forward to stage 2 unless all the above have been completed.
Stage 2
Report checklist – responsibility of report owner
|
ITEM |
Completed by |
Date |
|
Monitoring Officer commentary – at least 5 working days before MAT |
L Heron |
18/02/26 |
|
S151 Officer commentary – at least 5 working days before MAT |
T.Collier |
18/2/26 |
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|
|
|
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Confirm final report cleared by MAT |
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|
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Title |
Counter Fraud, Bribery and Corruption Strategy |
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Purpose of the report |
To make a decision
|
|
Report Author |
Linda Heron, Group Head Corporate Governance and Monitoring Officer |
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Ward(s) Affected |
All Wards
|
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Exempt |
No |
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Exemption Reason |
N/A |
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Corporate Priority |
This item is not in the current list of Corporate Priorities but still requires Council decision.
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Recommendations
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Council is asked to:
1. Agree the updated Counter Fraud, Bribery and Corruption Strategy (part 5(f) of the Constitution); and
2. Authorise the Monitoring Officer to update the Constitution.
|
|
Reason for Recommendation |
To ensure that the Council’s Constitution supports good governance. |
1. Executive summary of the report (expand detail in Key Issues section below)
|
What is the situation |
Why we want to do something |
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• Audit Committee is considering the proposed updated Counter Fraud, Bribery and Corruption Strategy on 24 February |
• To ensure that the Council’s constitution supports good governance |
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This is what we want to do about it |
These are the next steps |
|
• Consider the recommendation from the Audit Committee |
• If the updated proposed Counter Fraud, Bribery and Corruption Strategy is agreed, the Council’s Constitution will be updated |
2. Key issues
2.1 This report seeks the Council’s approval of the updated Counter Fraud, Bribery and Corruption Strategyand the subsequent changes to Part 5(f) of the Constitution which have been considered by the Audit Committee on 24 February.
2.2 All relevant key issues are set out in the report for Audit Committee that in Appendix 1.
3. Options appraisal and proposal
3.1 Agree the recommendation as set out in this report (recommended option).
This option ensures that the updated Counter Fraud, Bribery and Corruption Strategy with such further amendments as may have been agreed by the Audit Committee on 24 February is incorporated in the Council’s Constitution.
This, in turn, ensures that the Council’s Constitution is robust and fit for purpose and therefore this option delivers the best long-term benefit.
3.2 Put forward additional amendments to the Counter Fraud, Bribery and Corruption Strategy as may be agreed by this Committee.
This option enables targeted amendments to be considered by the Council, providing the Council with the flexibility to prioritise and address those issues it identifies as the most immediate or high priority.
3.3 Do not approve any changes and retain the existing Counter Fraud, Bribery and Corruption Strategy.
This option is not recommended as it fails to incorporate contextual amendments which address operational arrangements and does not support continuous improvement in governance.
4. Risk implications
4.1 Please refer to risk section in the report in Appendix 1.
5. Financial implications
5.1 Please refer to financial section in the report in Appendix 1.
6. Legal comments
6.1 Please refer to legal comments in the report in Appendix 1.
6.2 Changing the Constitution is a matter for Council pursuant to paragraph 4.2(a) of Article 4 of the Constitution.
Corporate implications
7. S151 Officer comments
7.1 There are no direct financial implications arising from the recommendations. The S151 Officer strongly supports having an effective counter fraud bribery and corruption which is part of the governance framework for seeking to protect council taxpayers money.
8. Monitoring Officer comments
8.1 The Monitoring Officer confirms that the relevant legal implications have been taken into account.
9. Procurement comments
9.1 There are no procurement implications arising directly from this report.
10. Equality and Diversity
10.1 Please refer to Equality and Diversity section in the report in Appendix 1.
11. Sustainability/Climate Change Implications
11.1 None arising directly from this report.
12. Other considerations
12.1 No other considerations have been identified.
13. Timetable for implementation
13.1 If the recommendation is agreed, the Constitution will be updated accordingly as soon as practicable.
14. Contact
14.1 Linda Heron, Group Head Corporate Governance and Monitoring Officer l.heron@spelthorne.gov.uk
Please submit any material questions to the Committee Chair and Officer Contact by two days in advance of the meeting.
Background papers: There are none.
Appendices:
Appendix 1 – Report for Audit Committee 24 February, agenda item 7 Counter
Fraud, Bribery and Corruption Strategy