Issue - meetings

To consider the recommendation of the Audit Committee to adopt the proposed changes to the Counter Fraud, Bribery and Corruption Strategy for adoption.

The report and draft strategy, as considered by the Audit Committee, are attached.

The Council considered the recommendation of the Audit Committee to adopt the proposed changes to the Counter Fraud, Bribery and Corruption Strategy for adoption.

It was proposed by Councillor J. Boughtflower and seconded by Councillor T. Fidler and

resolved that the proposed changes to the Counter Fraud, Bribery and Corruption Strategy be adopted.

To review and recommend to Council the changes proposed to the Counter Fraud, Bribery and Corruption Strategy (previously the Anti-Fraud, Bribery and Corruption Strategy).

The Internal Audit Manager presented the report on the annual review of the Counter Fraud, Bribery and Corruption Strategy. The Strategy forms part of the Council’s Constitution, is in line with best practice, and continues to underpin the Council’s commitment to prevent all forms of fraud, bribery and corruption.

Only minor changes were proposed to the strategy and these were highlighted in blue in the report.

The Internal Audit Manager advised that opportunistic fraud had increased during the pandemic and the Council had regularly alerted members, officers and the community of scams and suspicious communications.   Staff awareness of the whistleblowing policy and other relevant policies had been promoted through staff meetings. 

The Council also continued to collaborate with the specialist counter fraud unit at Reigate and Banstead Borough Council and positive outcomes had been produced particularly in Housing.  The Internal Audit Manager advised that the emphasis continued to be on fraud prevention as the most effective method of tackling the issue.  The team continued to seek opportunities to reduce fraud by working with colleagues, partners and registered housing providers and were investigating data matching initiatives with Reigate and Banstead Council and another third party.

The Committee were pleased to note that our policies aligned with other local authorities and that opportunities to mitigate risks were actively sought. 

The Audit Committee asked if training on this subject was mandatory and if not, that consideration could be given to making it so. The Group Head of Corporate Governance and Internal Audit Manager agreed to pursue this action.

The Committee resolved to:

1.          Endorse the Council’s Counter Fraud, Bribery and Corruption Strategy

2.          Recommend the changes to the Counter Fraud, Bribery and Corruption Strategy to the Council for adoption.