Issue - meetings

          The Board considered a report of the Operational Director, Finance, which provided an annual update on developments in regard to the Council’s anti-fraud and anti-corruption activity.

It was reported that the Board was responsible for the monitoring and reviewing the adequacy of the Council’s anti-fraud and anti-corruption arrangements, which was a key aspect of the Council’s risk management, control and governance framework. 

The Board considered information relating to the following activities:

·       A commentary on the fraud risk landscape;

·       A summary of the fraud investigations from 2022/23;

·       HR related investigations from 2022/23;

·       Whistleblowing complaints received and action taken;

·       An update on the National Fraud Initiative;

·       Details of fraud investigation related information reported under the Transparency Code;

·       Details of ongoing and planned anti-fraud work; and

·       Details of the Council’s suite of anti-fraud and anti- corruption related policies.

          The Board discussed compromise agreements and how they are defined within the Council. Members proposed that the Council should have a clearer definition of a compromise agreement which should include reference to neutral and financial agreements. It was agreed to bring a report covering these matters to the next meeting of the Board.

          Information on the number of Non-Disclosure Agreements signed by the Council in the past year and details of how the figure relating to Housing Waiting List valuation (£184,169) was calculated, would be provided to the Board.

          RESOLVED: That the annual update on anti-fraud and corruption related activity be noted and the Board supports the counter fraud working being undertaken.