Issue - meetings

To update the Counter Fraud, Bribery and Corruption Policy for the Council and align the document so the Policy is the same across the Partnership (report of the Director of Finance (Section 151 Officer) enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Director of Finance (Section 151 Officer) to update the Counter Fraud, Bribery and Corruption Policy for the Council and align the policy across the Partnership.

The report was introduced by the Director of Finance (Section 151 Officer) who confirmed that the document provided a comprehensive position, reflected the Council’s duty to prevent fraud and corruption and aligned the policy across the Partnership.

Members considered the report and made the following comments:

• Members welcomed the inclusion of delegated authority for minor amendments, noting the importance of enabling swift updates in response to legislative changes.

• Members queried the wording under Aims, suggesting that the ‘we aim to’ statement be strengthened to emphasise zero tolerance and a commitment to reducing fraud and losses to the minimum.
  • The Director of Finance (Section 151 Officer) agreed to review the wording to ensure robustness.

• Members referred to the Council’s powers to prosecute fraud cases and queried whether such powers were utilised or if matters would always be referred to the police.
  • The Director of Finance (Section 151 Officer) responded that action would depend on the circumstances; some cases would be police matters, while others might be addressed through HR processes.

• Members requested that colour contrast in the policy document be improved for readability.
  • The Director of Finance (Section 151 Officer) agreed to consider this in future versions.

• Members queried whether managers were responding timely to approval requests raised through the procurement card system.
  • The Head of Finance Delivery – Technical and Corporate (PSPS) responded that an escalation process was in place to ensure compliance with transaction coding and approvals. Recent escalation emails indicated that the process was working effectively, although some managers had required reminders to approve transactions promptly.

Agreed:

1. That the Counter Fraud, Bribery and Corruption Policy be approved; and

2. That delegation to the S151 Officer to review and make minor amendments to the Policy to reflect changes in legislation, statutory guidance or contact detail, be approved.