Fraud and corruption
Fraud and corruption are serious issues which can affect the services we provide, undermine the achievement of corporate objectives and impact on the public’s confidence in the integrity of our officers and councillors.
We are therefore committed to the prevention, detection and investigation of all forms of fraud and corruption whether these are attempted from within or external to the organisation.
We are committed to creating an environment based on the prevention of fraud and corruption. This is achieved by promoting openness and honesty in all our activities.
Fraud and Corruption Policies
We have a number of policies which collectively underpin the way we approach the risks from fraud the we face, and its approach to prevention, detection and investigation of potential fraudulent acts. These policies and strategies can be found in the related documents section of this page.
Anti-fraud and corruption strategy
The strategy explains that as custodian of the public purse, we have a duty to ensure public money is protected from fraud and corruption.
Fraud is the intentional distortion of financial statements or other records by persons internal or external to us, which is carried out to conceal the misappropriation of assets or otherwise for gain.
Corruption is the offering, giving, soliciting or acceptance of an inducement or reward which may influence the action of any other person.
We are committed to creating an environment that is based on the prevention of fraud and corruption. This is achieved by promoting openness and honesty in all our activities. The strategy explains what we do to prevent, detect and investigate fraud. The strategy sets out the reporting processes for potential fraud and corruption. The strategy also incorporates the Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support Anti-Fraud Policy.
Anti-fraud and corruption strategy group
The Anti-fraud and corruption strategy group has been formed to ensure we take a corporate approach to dealing with fraud and corruption.
Membership of the group consists of the Director of Legal and Governance (Monitoring Officer) and representatives from Finance, Legal, Estates, Revenues and Benefits, Housing, CMAP, Communications, Procurement and Human Resources with other officers brought on to the group as necessary.
Anti-bribery policy
Bribery is an inducement or reward offered, promised or provided to gain personal, commercial or contractual advantage which is done either directly or via a third party.
- Bribery is a criminal offence
- we do not, and will not, pay bribes or offer improper inducements to anyone for any purpose
- we do not, and will not, accept bribes or improper inducements.
We are committed to the prevention, deterrence and detection of bribery.
This policy provides a framework to enable our employees, Elected Members and other relevant persons to understand and implement arrangements enabling compliance. In conjunction with related policies and key documents it will also enable employees to identify and effectively report a potential breach.
Anti-money laundering policy statement and procedures
Money laundering describes offences involving the integration of the proceeds of crime or terrorist funds into the mainstream economy. Money laundering is the channelling of “bad” money into “good” money in order to hide the fact the money originated from criminal or terrorist activity.
The procedure explains what an employee or an Elected Members should do if they know or suspect that money laundering activity is taking, or has taken place.
We must have a Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) and the procedure explains that this is the Monitoring Officer. The procedure set out what the MLRO does if a report of money laundering is made.
Fraud response plan
The Fraud Response Plan has been developed to provide assurance of a consistent, thorough and effectively managed response to any allegations of fraud affecting us.
The Monitoring Officer is responsible for overseeing investigations of suspected fraud or corruption. The plan sets out how the Monitoring Officer will manage investigations, how evidence will be collected and retained, the interviewing of witnesses and what happens at the conclusion of the investigation.