Issue - meetings

Report of the Director – Finance and Corporate Services

Mr Dulay from BDO, the Council’s Internal Auditors presented the Annual Fraud Report 2024/25 which summarised any incidences of fraud and fraud prevention activities at Rushcliffe Borough Council.

It was noted the auditors had not undertaken a full risk assessment or audited any information provided to it by Council officers.

Mr Dulay explained the report highlights the counter fraud arrangements of the Council, including preventing and detecting fraud. The Internal Audit had confirmed that no incidents of fraud directly associated with the Council had been identified. Management is aware of frauds that occur across the local government sector and engages with Internal Audit.

Mr Dulay advised that the Council had taken proactive steps in preparing a comprehensive fraud risk assessment and had initiated a bottom-up approach to identifying potential fraud risks across all services. The Council had also reviewed its policies on Anti-Fraud and Corruption and Whistleblowing and encourages all individuals to raise any concerns they may have about the conduct of others within the Council.

The Council participates in the National Fraud Initiative (NFI) which is a data matching service that matches data within and between public and private sector bodies to prevent and detect fraud. It was noted the council had conducted a review in respect of single person discounts via the NFI in November 2023, with the next review planned for 2025.

Mr Dulay highlighted the Council’s Fraud Awareness and Strategy with regular communications via its internal staff matters publication. Fraud training is delivered regularly to Council employees and in particular the finance team who receive regular sector updates. It was noted that a fraud awareness training session is scheduled to take place in June 2025.

It was RESOLVED that the Governance Scrutiny Group considered the Annual Fraud Report 2024/25