The Chief Internal Auditor introduced his report that provided Members of the Committee with details of the outcome of the recent periodic review of the Council’ overall Counter Fraud and Corruption arrangements and sought formal Committee approval for the proposed Counter-Fraud and Corruption Strategy, Anti-Fraud and Corruption Policy, Fraud Response Plan and revised Anti-Bribery Policy.

Members noted that on completion the assessment tool measuring the Council’s effectiveness against five key principles of management of the risks of fraud and corruption a written statement had been generated by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance (CIPFA). The Chief Internal Auditor informed that he was comforted that the following activities having been assessed against three levels of performance ‘Good’, Basic’ and ‘Poor’ achieved the results as follows:

• Acknowledge responsibility – Good
• Identify Risks – Basic
• Develop Strategy – Basic
• Provide Resources – Good
• Take Action – Good
• Overall Assessment - Good

Members noted that in aligning the Council’s Counter Fraud and Corruption Strategy with CIPFA’s Code of Practice on managing the risks of fraud and corruption, the Council continues to apply best practice. Members further noted that the adoption and promotion of an effective Counter Fraud and Corruption Strategy helped the Council proactively encourage the detection of fraud and irregularities, and manage them appropriately.

The Chief Internal Auditor summarised his report stating that the Strategies and Policies named in his report be embedded within the culture of the Council and pro-actively be drawn to the attention of all employees and Members of the Council. To facilitate this, they were to be made available on the Council’s Intranet and Internet sites and e-learning packages.

Resolved – That the following strategy and policy documents be approved -

(1)  Counter-Fraud and Corruption Strategy (Appendix 1 to the report);

(2)  Anti-Fraud and Corruption Policy (Appendix 2 to the report);

(3)  Fraud Response Plan (Appendix 3 to the report); and

(4)  Revised Anti-Bribery Policy (Appendix 4 to the report).