The Chief Internal Auditor introduced his report that provided Members of the Audit and Risk Management Committee with an update on the activities of the Counter-Fraud Team within Internal Audit. The report covered the year 2016/17 and current year to date.

The report informed that although the Counter-Fraud Team worked closely and collaboratively with the Fraud and Compliance Team within Revenues and Benefits, the report did not include the extensive specialist activities of their work which was reported to Members separately.

A Member congratulated the Chief Internal Auditor and his team in respect of the work undertaken in respect of the National Fraud Initiative (NFI) that had resulted in significant savings for the Council, arising largely from payments recovered or stopped. Members noted that for the 2016/17 NFI exercise £167,000 had been identified to date, of which £154,000 was currently in the process of being recovered.

The Chief Internal Auditor thanked the Member and informed that it was the role of the Counter-Fraud Team to prepare relevant best practice policies and procedures, and proactively manage the risk of fraud to the Council through targeted audits in high risk areas. He added that the Counter-Fraud Team also facilitated changes to the culture of the organisation by raising awareness amongst the workforce to fraud and corruption through targeted training, and provided both a proactive and a reactive response to tackling fraud across the authority.

The Chief Internal Auditor informed that the Counter Fraud Team continued to chair and co-ordinate the activities of the Mersey Region Fraud Group (MRFG) that consisted of a number of neighbouring authorities and partner organisations. He further informed that the Team also contributed to the North West Chief Audit Executives Counter-Fraud Sub Group, to develop practical solutions to mitigate current and emerging fraud risks.

Resolved – that the report be noted.