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Issue - meetings

Counter Fraud and Enforcement Unit Update Report

 

 

Meeting: 24/10/2024 - Audit and Governance Committee (Item 294)

294 Counter Fraud and Enforcement Unit Update Report pdf icon PDF 116 KB

Purpose

To provide the Committee with assurance over the counter fraud activities of the Council.  Direct updates will continue to be provided twice a year.

Work plans are presented to the Committee detailing progress and results for consideration and comment as the body charged with governance in this area.

 

Recommendation

That the Audit and Governance Committee resolves;

1.         Note the report.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The purpose of the item was to provide the Committee with assurance over the counter fraud activities of the Council.

 

The Head of Service for the Counter Fraud and Enforcement Unit (CFEU) introduced the item. They explained that the work plan for 2024/25 included a focus on fraud risk mitigation regarding grant schemes and polygamous working as high-risk areas. This work would include both prevention and detection activities. They also highlighted that;

  • The CFEU website was finished, and a link to this would be sent to members.
  • The CFEU Head of Service was part of the Multi-Agency Approach to Fraud group and worked collaboratively across this.
  • The Business Grant schemes were still being worked on and were now in the debt reconciliation phase.
  • There was ongoing work on the National Fraud Initiative as well as housing waiting list fraud
  • Staff training would be delivered to those who worked in Environmental and Regulatory Service (ERS) in the autumn and that procurement fraud training would also be delivered.
  • The small business rates relief review had been completed.

 

Members discussed the report, raising the following points:

  • The CFEU legal agreement was under review, after agreement by the other partners, as the employing council, Cotswold District Council would be asked to agree.
  • Members asked how value for money was measured. The CFEU Head of Service explained that the cost was reported each year and stated that the assurance over performance were measured within the report. Metrics could be difficult to apply due to varied caseloads. The Deputy Chief Executive stated that the Counter Fraud and Enforcement Unit were also able to add value through supporting other service areas.

 

Members thanked the Counter Fraud and Enforcement Unit for their work.

 

RESOLVED: To NOTE the report.

 

 

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