Audit & Standards Committee

Agenda Item 26

Subject:                    Anti-Fraud and Corruption Strategy and Framework

Date of meeting:    29^th November 2022

Report of:                 Executive Director Governance People & Resources

Contact Officer:      Name: Simon White, Audit Manager Counter Fraud

                                    Tel: 07779 45501

                                    Email: simon.white@surreycc.gov.uk

                                    Russell Banks (Chief Internal Auditor)

                                    Tel: 07824 362739

                                    Email: russell.banks@eastsussex.gov.uk

Ward(s) affected:   All

For general release

1. Purpose of the report and policy context

1.1 This report proposes that an updated Anti-Fraud and Corruption Strategy and Framework be approved. It summarises key amendments made to the current Strategy, which has been in place since 2019.

2. Recommendations

2.1 That the Committee approve the Council’s Anti-Fraud and Corruption Strategy and Framework attached as Appendix 1.

3. Context and background information

3.1 This anti-fraud and corruption fraud strategy is aligned to ‘Fighting Fraud & Corruption Locally’ (FFCL), the Local Government Counter Fraud and Corruption Strategy for the 2020s, which provides a blueprint for a tougher response to fraud and corruption perpetrated against local authorities. The previous two FFCL strategies focused upon pillars of activity, or strategic objectives, where the Council concentrated its counter-fraud efforts. These were ‘acknowledge’, ‘prevent’ and ‘pursue’.  The FFCL strategy 2020 has now been expanded to include two additional areas of activity that underpin tenets of those pillars; ‘govern’ and ‘protect’.

3.2 ‘Protect’ is a new overarching responsibility to protect the public from fraud. ‘Govern’ is added as a new foundation of the Strategy, which sets out that those who are charged with governance, support the activity by ensuring that there are robust arrangements in place and that executive support exists to ensure that anti-fraud, bribery and corruption measures are embedded throughout the organisation.

3.3 The amendments made to the BHCC Strategy include the following:

· Aligning the pillars of the strategy to FFCL (addition of Govern and Protect);

· An updated table summarising the activities required to achieve the strategic objectives included within the Strategy document under the heading ‘Action Plan’;

· An introductory statement reinforcing leadership support for counter fraud measures (in line with FFCL).

4. Analysis and consideration of alternative options

4.1 The amendments set out above strengthen the Council’s compliance with best practice and provide top-down support for the approach taken to fraud and corruption though the addition of the covering statement from the CEO and Leader.

5. Community engagement and consultation

5.1 None

6. Conclusion

6.1 The Committee is asked to note the report.

7. Financial implications

7.1 There are no direct financial implications arising from the recommendations of this report. Counter Fraud activities are delivered within existing budgetary resources.

Name of finance officer consulted: James Hengeveld  Date consulted 04/11/22

8. Legal implications

8.1 The Audit & Standards Committee’s delegated powers include specific authority to consider and approve the Council’s anti-fraud and corruption arrangements. It is therefore the correct body to receive this Report and to approve this Strategy and Framework.

Lawyer consulted: Victoria Simpson              Date consulted 1.11.22

9. Equalities implications

9.1 There are no direct equalities implications.

10. Sustainability implications

10.1 There are no direct sustainability implications.

11. Other Implications

11.1 None

Supporting Documentation

1. Appendices

1. Anti-Fraud and Corruption Strategy and Framework.