Issue - meetings

[To note the latest Audit Services Counter Fraud update]

Mark Wilkes, Audit Business Partner presented the update report on current counter fraud activities undertaken by Audit Services.  He particularly highlighted publications from the Chartered Institute for Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) and the National Fraud Office (NFO) and some of the areas of fraud highlighted. 

The Chair asked if there was any underlying reason for the reduction in the number of cases of Right to Buy fraud and for the increase in Council tax discount (Single Person Discount as a result of fraud or error) during 2016/2017 when compared to the previous year.  The Audit Business Partner reported that the reduction in Right to Buy fraud was down to natural fluctuations.  For the Single Person Discount (SPD), an external firm had been employed to deal with SPD fraud. Councillor Barbara McGarrity commented that it was her understanding that an officer had been employed to check the entitlement of applicants for SPD and their efforts had contributed to the increase in the number of council tax discount cases during 2016/2017.

Referring to the national picture for Blue Badge fraud, the Chair also asked whether Blue Badge fraud was a problem in Wolverhampton.  The Audit Business Partner reported that generally it was not an issue within the City.

John Humphries, Independent Member asked how the Council would ‘value for money’ check employing contractors to work on SPD cases versus providing the service inhouse and possibly cheaper.  The Audit Business Partner advised that the service dealing with SPD fraud was an externally managed service that was exposed to competitive tender to secure the services of a contractor.

Resolved:

That the contents of the latest Audit Services Counter Fraud Update be noted.