Agenda item

To receive the 2023/24 Anti-Fraud & Corruption Annual Report.

The Audit, Governance & Procurement Lead Manager presented the Annual Anti-Fraud & Corruption Report which gave details of the activity for 2023/24.

Investigation activities within Telford & Wrekin Council were driven by the Investigation Team along with Internal Audit and IDT and the work that other enforcement teams did in tackling certain types of fraud within our communities.  The Committee were advised that when the Investigation Team refer to the term fraud it also included associated offences such as theft, bribery, corruption, money laundering and other financial irregularity, which are all matters that the Investigation Team.

A number of complex investigations had been undertaken in 2023/24. Some of these were continuing into the next financial year.

The Investigation Team had now started joint working with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) where there were matters of Council Tax Support fraud and fraud related to other relevant DWP benefits.

The Investigation Team concluded 147 investigations in 2023/24 with 83 having a positive outcome. This figure did not include 47 open investigations which were being carried over into the next financial year.

There was no way of accurately measuring the consequential effects and indirect savings that occurred due to the team’s prevention work. If this work was not undertaken, then the loss to the authority would potentially increase year on year. In addition, potential fraudsters would be less likely to attempt to commit acts of fraud than they would if there was no team in place.

In order to prevent fraudulent activity, face to face induction training had been implemented for new employees with further training opportunities available via Ollie for all staff.

Revenues and Benefits, IDT (in relation to cyber fraud) and public protection feedback information to Internal Audit in relation to fraudulent activities.

The Investigation Team had a good partnership and working relationship with the local Police in the fight against crime.

During the debate, some Members asked why social care had a higher rate of suspected fraud, whether there were adequate controls in place in relation to cyber fraud and if continual updating of systems was required was there a cost to that.  Other Members asked how much had been saved from the outcome of the £121,000 fraud.  Members welcomed the proactive approach across the Council to data security and GDPR.

The Audit, Governance & Procurement Lead Manager explained that in relation to direct payments, the government introduced that a sum on money would be given to the person who required care and that they organised their own care.  Where third parties were involved, they must ensure that the work contracted was honoured.  Expenditure in social care was a boom area and was a bigger fraud risk.  In relation to cyber fraud, the Council were part of a West Midlands Group who looked at trends in cyber fraud and there was an IDT lead on cyber security.   There was reasonable assurance that controls were in place to protect the Council including focus groups, public sector requirements a tool kit around cyber security and the antivirus and patching was up to date.  Invest to save had been considered but this was difficult to equate and, if required, then more resources would be sought.

Members noted the report.