Agenda item

Report of the Audit and Risk Manager

The Audit and Risk Manager submitted a report (previously circulated) to advise Members of the Anti-Fraud and Corruption Arrangements for the period 2021/22.

It was reported that estimates suggested that in excess of £300m is lost to fraud in local government and it was imperative to ensure the funds Council’s have are not being lost to fraudsters.

The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) take the lead on providing advice and guidance to the sector on managing the fraud risk and also co-ordinate annual surveys of fraudulent activity detected across local government; they also published a Code of Practice on Managing the Risk of Fraud and Corruption in October 2014.

It was also reported that the 2021/22 Strategy (appended to the submitted report) had been developed in line with the code of practice with each of the five themes addressed and the format of the strategy had been redefined from previous versions to improve the visual appeal of the strategy and make it more effective.

The submitted report also gave an update on the actions identified in the 2020/21 Strategy.

Members discussed in particular the participation in the National Fraud Initiative (NFI) exercise and the process carried out every two years which involves data matching to look for anomalies (potential fraud).

Members also requested an update on payroll procurement be included in the next Audit Activity report to this Audit Committee.

RESOLVED – That the 2021/22 Anti-Fraud and Corruption Strategy be noted.