Agenda item

9.1

The Head of Strategic Finance submitted a report outlining the work undertaken by Internal Audit on fraud and corruption, focusing on the outcomes of the work from its investigations and the work undertaken on the National Fraud initiative.

9.2

Stephen Bower, Finance Manager, presented the report. He commented that the Internal Audit team lead on fraud management but managers were required to take action to address issues. Resources in the internal audit team were prioritised on the major concerns and could be moved around where needed.

9.3

Stephen Bower added that Housing Benefit Fraud was regulated by PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PWC). Last year it was reported that there was £325 million worth of fraud in this area nationally. However, this was just the level of fraud that was reported and the actual figure was likely to be closer to around £2.2 billion.

9.4

The largest number of frauds was single persons discount of Council Tax. The biggest fraud last year at the Council was a person recrediting income to their own credit card. Measures had been taken and Mr Bower believed that a fraud of this type could not happen again.

9.5

Regarding a question in respect of Housing Benefit fraud and neglected properties, Stephen Bower commented that Council properties were well managed in respect of this. Issues that arose tended to be related to housing association properties. If Members were aware of properties that were neglected they should let officers know.

9.6

Resolved: That the Committee notes the contents of the report.