Meeting documents

To consider this report.

The Committee considered and discussed this report that provided information following the annual review of all the measures being undertaken across the Council aimed at prevention, detection and reporting of fraud and corruption.

Members noted that anti-fraud and corruption work formed an important part of the Council’s corporate governance and internal control framework. Working with colleagues from the South West Audit Partnership (SWAP) Officers had made a comparison of the Council’s systems and processes against typical fraud target areas and when reviewed against national trends and guidance.

It was noted that the report contained the conclusion of the review and this judged that the Council had a sound framework in place, although more could be done to continue raise awareness. There had been a small number of fraud allegations, some leading to more formal investigations from SWAP, and it was suggested that such incidents should be considered when the Committee set the Internal Audit Plan for 2019/2020.

The report also provided, at Appendix 2, details of the fraud and corruption allegations that had been investigated during 2018 and the case notes provided a non-specific overview of those cases.

In summary the Committee noted that the review had provided assurance, that the Anti-Fraud and Corruption Policy, Anti-Bribery Policy and Anti-Money Laundering Policy, were deemed to be fit for purpose. Members thanked officers for their work, in particular the former Chief Internal Auditor, and noted their continued support for a zero tolerance policy with regard to fraud.

The report was accepted.

The Committee considered and discussed this report that provided information following the annual review of all the measures being undertaken across the Council aimed at prevention, detection and reporting of fraud and corruption.

Members noted that anti-fraud and corruption work formed an important part of the Council’s corporate governance and internal control framework. Working with colleagues from the South West Audit Partnership (SWAP) Officers had made a comparison of the Council’s systems and processes against typical fraud target areas and when reviewed against national trends and guidance.

It was noted that the report contained the conclusion of the review and this judged that the Council had a sound framework in place, although more could be done to continue raise awareness. There had been a small number of fraud allegations, some leading to more formal investigations from SWAP, and it was suggested that such incidents should be considered when the Committee set the Internal Audit Plan for 2019/2020.

The report also provided, at Appendix 2, details of the fraud and corruption allegations that had been investigated during 2018 and the case notes provided a non-specific overview of those cases.

In summary the Committee noted that the review had provided assurance, that the Anti-Fraud and Corruption Policy, Anti-Bribery Policy and Anti-Money Laundering Policy, were deemed to be fit for purpose. Members thanked officers for their work, in particular the former Chief Internal Auditor, and noted their continued support for a zero tolerance policy with regard to fraud.

The report was accepted.