Issue - meetings

The Council considered the recommendation of the Cabinet on revisions to the Anti-Fraud, Bribery and Corruption Strategy which is included as Part 5(f)  in the Council’s Constitution.

Resolved to approve the amendments to the Anti-Fraud, Bribery and Corruption Strategy, as attached at Appendix 1 to the report.

Councillor S. Buttar

To consider the amended Anti-Fraud, Bribery and Corruption Strategy and make a recommendation to Council

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.

Councillor S. Buttar

To consider the recommendation of the Audit Committee on amendments to the Anti-Fraud, Bribery and Corruption Strategy and make a recommendation to Council.

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.

Fraud was now considered to be the most prevalent crime in the UK and a  number of anti-fraud initiatives had taken place including:

·         Promoting awareness of high risk public fraud through organised training sessions to relevant teams

·         Continued procurement of counter-fraud services from Reigate and Banstead Borough Council, which had produced positive outcomes

·         Increased focus on social housing fraud

·         Evidence based fraud reporting system and quantifiable reporting of estimated financial savings (public fraud)

A number of minor amendments were proposed to the Strategy and were highlighted in the report attached at Appendix 1.

The Committee suggested further refinement of paragraph 3 of the strategy to provide more clarity and with regard to paragraph 7, that it should be the duty of staff to raise concerns rather than ‘encouraged to raise concerns’.

Resolved to:

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

2. Recommend the proposed changes, subject to the amendments outlined above, to the Anti-Fraud, Bribery and Corruption Strategy to Cabinet for approval.

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