Issue - meetings

3.35

Report by the Director for Finance.

This report presents an Update on the Counter Fraud Strategy and Plan for 2019/20.

The Committee is RECOMMENDED to note the progress with delivery of Counter Fraud Strategy and Plan for 2019/20.

Recommendation agreed

Sarah Cox summarised the report.  Although a candidate had been identified for the position of Investigation Officer, they declined the offer.  Options within the Council are now being explored.  Training for Members is needed and there will be a survey of awareness among officers.

Sarah Cox and Tessa Clayton responded to Members’ questions as follows:

·         There are currently three cases under police investigation, none of them substantial.

·         Discussions with Bucks County Council about joint-working are all early conversations.

·         WODC uses the Glocs service – we are having discussions with both.  South & Vale have a small resource.  Cherwell uses the City service.  We want to make sure there is a strong fraud response across all Councils.

·         A Deprivation of Assets project coordinator has been appointed and is currently examining processes in other authorities. This involves identifying cases where people transfer assets to try to avoid care costs.  A Council needs to decide how hard it wants to be on this issue.  There can also be safeguarding issues.

·         The new fraud case management system, Opus, went live in September.

·         The figure of 2,379 bus passes cancelled is over two years.  A reminder is included in information for surviving relatives.

RESOLVED: to note the progress with delivery of Counter Fraud Strategy and Plan for 2019/20.