To receive the review of the Council’s Anti-Fraud and Anti-Corruption Policies

The Committee received a report on the review of the Council’s Anti Fraud and Anti Corruption Policies.

During the discussion of this item, the following points were made:

·         Members were advised that it was good practice to review the Council’s Anti Fraud and Anti Corruption policies, which were included in the Council’s Constitution.

·         The Assistant Director Governance advised that the changes themselves were fairly minor.  He asked Members for their views on how the policies could be better publicised so that more staff and public were aware of the Council’s stance.

·         Councillor Burgess asked if there was a level of detail underneath the policies such as a fraud risk register or a money laundering risk register.  She commented that it would useful for Members to see where the Council was most at risk.  With regards to the anti-fraud policies, Councillor Burgess commented that it would be helpful to have reference to more current trends such as cyber phishing emails.

·         The Assistant Director Governance indicated that there were not underpinning risk registers but this could be looked at.

·         CIPA produced anti-fraud guidance and self-assessment.  This could be used to assess where the Council was concerning fraud risks.  Councillor Burgess felt that this was a key element of Members’ training.

·         Councillor Burgess questioned whether consideration had been given to the production of a policy about the Criminal Finances Act 2017.  The Assistant Director Governance agreed to look into the matter.

·         Councillor Ross felt that the policies could be better publicised on the Council’s website.

RESOLVED: That the proposed amendments to the Anti-Fraud and Anti-Corruption Policy, the Whistleblowing Policy, the Anti-Money Laundering Policy, Prosecutions and Sanctions Policy, Anti-Bribery Policy and the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) policy be agreed and be recommended to Council via the Constitution Review Working Group.