Issue - meetings

The Council considered the recommendation of Cabinet from its meeting on 24 April 2019 to approve the changes to the Anti-fraud, Bribery and Corruption Strategy following its annual review.

The Strategy forms part of the Council’s Constitution and in line with best practice, the Strategy underpins the Council’s commitment to prevent all forms of fraud, bribery and corruption, demonstrating the important role it plays in the overall corporate governance framework.

Resolved to approve the amendments to the Anti-fraud, Bribery and Corruption Strategy.

Cabinet considered the recommendation of the Audit Committee on amendments to the Anti-Fraud, Bribery and Corruption Strategy.

Resolved to recommend the Anti-Fraud, Bribery and Corruption Strategy as amended, to Council for approval.

Reason for Decision

The Strategy forms part of the Council’s Constitution and is in line with best practice. The Strategy continues to underpin the Council’s commitment to prevent all forms of fraud, bribery and corruption, demonstrating the important role it plays in the overall Corporate Governance framework.

To review and recommend to Cabinet the changes proposed to the Anti-Fraud, Bribery and Corruption Strategy.

The Internal Audit Manager presented the report on the annual review of the Anti-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.

The proposed amendments were set out in the report.  In response to questions regarding collaboration with local housing associations to reduce housing benefit fraud, the Internal Audit Manager advised that this was slowly improving but the monopoly position had not been helpful with respect to the main social housing provider in the Borough.

Other options considered:

To make no changes to the Strategy, thereby not reflecting current

practices or requirements.

Resolved to:

1.    Endorse the Council’s Anti-Fraud, Bribery and Corruption Strategy;

2.    Recommend the proposed changes to the Anti-Fraud Bribery and Corruption Strategy to Cabinet for approval.