Decision details

The Internal Audit Manager presented the report on the annual review of the Anti-Fraud, Bribery and Corruption Strategy. She highlighted the steps taken in the past year to improve fraud awareness for all staff and members through the circulation of fraud awareness leaflets.

The Committee noted that the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) issued a Code of practice on ‘Managing the risk of fraud and corruption’, which highlighted that leaders of public services organisations have a responsibility to embed effective standards for countering fraud and corruption in their organisations. The committee noted that the strategy had been updated to reflect those changes.

The Committee noted that the Internal Audit team had received funding in 2015 within to investigate fraud and funding (£60k) from the Department of Communities and Local Government through a joint bid with six boroughs and the County Council to tackle non-benefit fraud during 2015/16. 

The Internal Audit Manager reiterated that managers are responsible for identifying fraud and corruption risks in their services, and for operating systems of control to prevent and detect fraud. 

Resolved:

1)    That the Committee endorses the Council’s Anti-Fraud, Bribery and Corruption Strategy.

2)    That the Committee notes the Council’s position regarding CIPFA’s Code of Practice on managing the risk of fraud and corruption.