Skip to main content

Agenda item

SAFS ANNUAL REPORT 2025/26

REPORT OF THE SHARED ANTI-FRAUD SERVICE (SAFS)

 

A report providing details of the work undertaken by the Council and the Shared Anti-Fraud Service to protect the Council against the threat of fraud and the delivery of the Council’s Anti-Fraud Action Plan for 2025/26.

Decision:

RESOLVED: That the Committee noted:

 

(1)   The activity undertaken by the Shared Anti-Fraud Services to deliver the 2025/26 Anti-Fraud Plan for the Council.

 

(2)   All Anti-fraud activity undertaken by Officers and SAFS to protect the Council against fraud in 2025/26.

 

(3)   The additional Shared Anti-Fraud Service Annual Report (Appendix 1).

 

REASON FOR DECISIONS: This report provides details of the work undertaken by the Council and the Shared Anti-Fraud Service (SAFS) to protect the Council against the risk of fraud and delivery of the Council’s Anti-Fraud Plan for 2025/2026.

Minutes:

Audio recording – 22 minutes 14 seconds

 

The Counter-Fraud Manager presented the report entitled ‘SAFS Annual Report 2025/26’ and advised that:

 

·             The report opened with background information explaining the general fraud landscape.

·             The Anti-Fraud Plan 2025/26 had been approved by the Committee in March, and all Key Performance Indicators within this had been met.

·             Officers across the Council, including the Senior Managers Group had been offered training sessions throughout the year on several topics such as identity fraud.

·             SAFS had supported the HR Team to develop an e-module on anti-fraud, anti-bribery and anti-money laundering.

·             A Fraud Risk Assessment had been developed for the Council.

·             Fraud alerts highlighting trends and threats were issued to all partners including the Council to strengthen fraud controls.

·             There had been a rise in referrals to SAFS relating to the National Fraud Initiative.

·             Staff referrals had been lower than usual and this would be monitored.

·             40 cases of low-risk fraud allegation had been resolved, which had identified £24K in Housing Benefit and Council Tax fraud, as described on pages 45-46 of the Agenda Reports Pack.

·             Two case studies for disposal options from investigations were detailed on pages 45-48.

·             SAFS had worked with social housing providers to assist with the recovery of 8 properties, leading to savings and potential housing provision for those on waiting lists.

·             SAFS supported the Council to meet the National Fraud Initiative requirements.

·             15 fraud errors had been identified from 767 reviews, which had saved £56K in fraud prevention costs, as illustrated by the case study on page 50.

·             £26K of savings had also been identified through the Fraud Hub, which was a quarterly, light version of the National Fraud Initiative.

·             £319K of Council Tax irregularities had been discovered in Hertfordshire.

 

The following Members asked questions:

 

·             Councillor Clare Billing

·             Councillor Paul Ward

 

In response to questions, the Counter-Fraud Manager advised that:

 

·             SAFS also worked on behalf of social housing providers in the district and would investigate fraud and irregularities on their behalf as well as the Council when an issue arose.

·             They could not investigate general benefit fraud but could conduct joint investigations with the Department for Work and Pensions on Housing Benefit fraud as this was also linked to Council Tax.

·             Fraud investigations closed per year had decreased since 2020/21 due to an increase in staff, which had led to the closure of several legacy cases from previous years. The decrease was also due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and a change in how low-level fraud allegations were no longer classed as cases.

·             A peak had occurred in 2020/21 due to clearing the back log and additional work.

·             Cases were most associated with Council Tax.

 

Councillor Elizabeth Dennis proposed and Councillor Paul Ward seconded and, following a vote, it was:

 

RESOLVED: That the Committee noted:

 

(1)   The activity undertaken by the Shared Anti-Fraud Services to deliver the 2025/26 Anti-Fraud Plan for the Council.

 

(2)   All Anti-fraud activity undertaken by Officers and SAFS to protect the Council against fraud in 2025/26.

 

(3)   The additional Shared Anti-Fraud Service Annual Report (Appendix 1).

 

REASON FOR DECISIONS: This report provides details of the work undertaken by the Council and the Shared Anti-Fraud Service (SAFS) to protect the Council against the risk of fraud and delivery of the Council’s Anti-Fraud Plan for 2025/2026.

Supporting documents: