Issue - meetings

REPORT OF THE SERVICE DIRECTOR – RESOURCES

To approve the Fraud Prevention Policy.

RESOLVED:

(1)     That the Fraud Prevention Policy attached at Appendix A be approved with the following amendment:

The first line of Paragraph 6 in Section 2 entitled Reporting, ‘that are reported’ be

removed from the Fraud Prevention Policy so that it read:

“The Council will investigate all suspicions, and where deemed appropriate the matter raised may be:”

(2)    That the Learning and Development Champions be requested to consider how e-learning modules can be better advertised to Members and how Members can be encouraged to undertake essential training such as anti bribery and fraud prevention.

REASON FOR DECISION: The new policy provides all the information in relation to fraud and similar offences. This makes it more accessible, especially as the total length of documentation is shorter. By making it easier to read and understand policies, it should aid compliance.

Audio recording – 26 minutes 27 seconds

The Executive Member for Finance and IT presented the report entitled Fraud Prevention Policy together with the following appendix:

·                 Appendix A- Fraud Prevention Policy.

He drew attention to the essential nature of training for Members regarding anti bribery, fraud etc and the low take up rates and suggested that Group Leaders encourage Members to undertake the relevant e-learning modules.

Cabinet considered the referral from the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee meeting held on 16 September 2019 which contained the following recommendation to Cabinet:

That the Fraud Prevention Policy attached at Appendix A be approved with the following amendment:

The first line of Paragraph 6 in Section 2 entitled Reporting, ‘that are reported’ be

removed from the Fraud Prevention Policy so that it read:

“The Council will investigate all suspicions, and where deemed appropriate the matter raised may be:”

The Executive Member for Finance and IT was happy that the recommendation from the Finance Audit and Risk Committee be accepted.

Councillor Ruth Brown suggested that the Learning and Development Champions be requested to consider how to advertise e-learning modules and encourage Members to undertake essential learning.

It was proposed by Councillor Ian Albert, seconded by Councillor Martin Stears-Handscomb and

RESOLVED:

(1)     That the Fraud Prevention Policy attached at Appendix A be approved with the following amendment:

The first line of Paragraph 6 in Section 2 entitled Reporting, ‘that are reported’ be removed from the Fraud Prevention Policy so that it read:

“The Council will investigate all suspicions, and where deemed appropriate the matter raised may be:”

(2)    That the Learning and Development Champions be requested to consider how e-learning modules can be better advertised to Members and how Members can be encouraged to undertake essential training such as anti bribery and fraud prevention.

REASON FOR DECISION: The new policy provides all the information in relation to fraud and similar offences. This makes it more accessible, especially as the total length of documentation is shorter. By making it easier to read and understand policies, it should aid compliance.