Issue - meetings

To consider a report by the Head of Customer Services on the outcome of a review of the existing procedure for the sanction and prosecution of those persons found to be committing benefit fraud.

Consideration was given to a report by the Head of Customer Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) detailing a review of the policy for the sanction and prosecution of claimants, landlords, employees and Members who had committed benefit fraud.

In noting the increasing levels of fraud detection activity and the levels of sanction and prosecution undertaken by the Council, attention was drawn to the changes proposed to the policy.

RESOLVED

(a)  that the contents of the report be noted;

(b)  that the revised Benefits Prosecution Policy set out in Appendix A to the report now submitted be approved;

(c)  that the Fraud Manager be authorised to undertake court hearings and issue formal cautions and administrative penalties as set out in paragraph 3.1 of the report; and

(d)  that staff within the Fraud Team be authorised to undertake investigations in fraud affecting all other District Council services and to report to the relevant Head of Service on the outcomes, findings and recommendations arising from these investigations.

To consider a report by the Head of Customer Services on the outcome of a review of the existing procedure for the sanction and prosecution of those persons found to be committing benefit fraud.

Approved a revised Benefits Prosecution Policy for the prosecution of benefit claimants, landlords, employees and members who had committed benefit fraud. Authorised the Fraud Manager to undertake court hearings and issue formal cautions and administrative penalties and staff within the Fraud Team to undertake investigations in fraud affecting all other District Council services and to report to the relevant Head of Service on the outcomes, findings and recommendations arising from these investigations.

Consideration was given to a report by the Head of Customer Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) to which was attached a proposed policy for the prosecution of benefit claimants, landlords, employees and members who had committed benefit fraud.

Having considered the issues involved and the efficiencies to be gained in pursuing the course of action proposed in the report, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  (a)  that the contents of the report be noted;

  (b)  that the revised Benefits Prosecution Policy set out in Appendix A to the report now submitted be approved;

  (c)  that the Fraud Manager be authorised to undertake court hearings and issue formal cautions and administrative penalties as set out in paragraph 3.1 of the report; and

  (d)  that staff within the Fraud Team be authorised to undertake investigations in fraud affecting all other District Council services and to report to the relevant Head of Service on the outcomes, findings and recommendations arising from these investigations.