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Report to: |
Audit and Governance Committee |
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Date: |
14 December 2023 |
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Title: |
Anti-Fraud, Bribery and Corruption (Policy and Response Plan), Counter Fraud Resilience and Assessment Report and Whistleblowing Policy |
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Portfolio Area: |
Finance – Cllr J Brazil |
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Wards Affected: |
All |
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Urgent Decision: |
N |
Approval and clearance obtained: |
Y |
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Author: |
Lisa Buckle
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Role: |
Section 151 Officer
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Contact: |
lisa.buckle@swdevon.gov.uk |
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RECOMMENDATIONS:
It is RECOMMENDED that the Audit and Governance Committee approve the contents of the following documents attached:
1. Anti-Fraud, Bribery and Corruption Policy (Appendix A refers);
2. Anti-Fraud, Bribery and Corruption Strategy/Response Plan (Appendix B refers);
3. Counter Fraud Resilience and Assessment Report (Appendix C refers); and
4. Whistleblowing Policy (Appendix D refers)
1. Executive summary
1.1 The Council is committed to championing the fight against fraud and corruption. The Council has, through its arrangements with the Devon Audit Partnership (DAP), committed to retaining the expertise of a qualified counter fraud investigative capability and acknowledges the potential wider risks from corporate fraud and corruption and its obligation to investigate all types of fraud.
2. Background
2.1 The Council has engaged the services of the Devon Audit Partnership’s fraud team to update the Council’s policies and strategies which are attached in Appendices A to D.
3. Proposed Way Forward
3.1 It is recommended that the Audit and Governance Committee approve the contents of the four documents attached.
4. Implications
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Implications
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Relevant |
Details and proposed measures to address |
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Legal/Governance
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The documents set out the Council’s arrangements, adopting best practice and learning from other Authorities in respect of counter fraud and corruption work.
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Financial implications to include reference to value for money
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Y |
The Council will commit appropriate resources to identify, assess, detect and prevent fraud and corruption throughout all areas of business within the Council. |
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Risk |
Y |
A fraud risk assessment and an Annual Report on Counter Fraud Activity will be presented to the Audit and Governance Committee in March 2024, as per the Committee Workplan. |
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Supporting Corporate Strategy |
Y |
The documents set out the Council’s arrangements, adopting best practice and learning from other Authorities in respect of counter fraud and corruption work.
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Climate Change - Carbon / Biodiversity Impact
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N |
None directly arising from this report. |
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Comprehensive Impact Assessment Implications |
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Equality and Diversity |
N |
None directly arising from this report. |
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Safeguarding
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N |
None directly arising from this report.
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Community Safety, Crime and Disorder |
N |
None directly arising from this report.
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Health, Safety and Wellbeing |
N |
None directly arising from this report.
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Other implications |
N |
None directly arising from this report.
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Supporting Information
Appendices:
Appendix A - Anti-Fraud, Bribery and Corruption Policy
Appendix B - Anti-Fraud, Bribery and Corruption Strategy/Response Plan
Appendix C - Counter Fraud Resilience and Assessment Report
Appendix D - Whistleblowing Policy
Background Papers:
None