Issue - meetings

To consider a joint report by the Corporate Fraud Manager and the Head of Customer Services on the proposed establishment of a Single Fraud Investigation Service (SFIS) and the implications for the authority.

that proposed Option 4  which would ensure that the Council retains a fraud presence post SFIS be adopted but that Officers continue to pursue consideration of shared service options with partner authorities by 2016.

Having regard to a joint report by the Corporate Fraud Manager and the Head of Customer Services (a copy of which is appended in the annex to the Minute Book), the Cabinet considered the future of the District Council’s fraud team in view of the establishment by the Government of a Single Fraud Investigation Service designed to investigate all welfare fraud under the control of the Department of Works and Pensions.

Having been appraised of the extent of the proposed service from 2015 and on the recommendation of the Corporate Governance and Overview & Scrutiny (Economic Well Being) Panels, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

that proposed Option 4  which would ensure that the Council retains a fraud presence post SFIS be adopted but that Officers continue to pursue consideration of shared service options with partner authorities by 2016.

To consider a report by the Corporate Fraud Manager / Head of Customer Services.

Consideration was given to a joint report by the Corporate Fraud Manager and the Head of Customer Services (a copy of which is appended in the Annex to the Minute Book) outlining the implications for the authority of the Department of Work and Pensions’ decision to launch a Single Fraud Investigation Service (SFIS) for the investigation of welfare fraud.

By way of introduction, the Head of Customer Services explained that the Council would be transferring its Housing Benefit fraud function to the SFIS in May 2015. It was reported that some or all of the Council’s Fraud Team would be transferred to the new service and that a significant number of risks connected to fraud across the Council’s services would remain. Members’ attention was then drawn to the options available for the Authority once the transfer had been completed. The report had previously been considered by the Corporate Governance Panel whose comments were relayed to the Panel.

Having considered the options outlined within the report, Members formed the opinion that the District Council should retain a fraud presence with a view to exploring the opportunities for a shared service with neighbouring authorities once the formation of the SFIS had been completed. Whereupon, it was

RESOLVED

that the Cabinet be recommended to retain a smaller Fraud Team which can work in partnership with neighbouring authorities and other agencies (as outlined in option 4 of the report now submitted).

To receive a joint report from the Corporate Fraud Manager and the Head of Customer Services on the proposed establishment of a Single Fraud Investigation Service (SFIS) and the implications for the authority.

Consideration was given to a joint report by the Corporate Fraud Manager and the Head of Customer Services (a copy of which is appended in the Annex to the Minute Book) outlining the implications for the authority of the Department of Works & Pensions decision to launch a Single Fraud Investigation Service (SFIS). The Service will deal with the investigation of welfare fraud.

By way of introduction to the report, the Head of Customer Services explained that the Council would be transferring its housing benefit fraud function to the SFIS in May 2015. It was reported that some or all of the Council’s Fraud Team would be transferred to the new service and that a significant number of risks connected to fraud across the Council’s services would remain. At the same time a grant would be provided by the DWP to local councils for the administration of housing benefit/council tax benefit schemes.

In discussing the potential impact on fraud risk for the authority, Members’ attention was drawn to the options available to the authority once the transfer of the housing benefit fraud function was completed. Following discussion on maintaining a level of fraud prevention and detection, Members were of the opinion that this should be provided through a smaller fraud team, delivery of which should be cost neutral whilst remaining effective. Having been advised that the future of the fraud service would be considered at a meeting of the Cabinet on 23^rd October 2014, the Panel

RESOLVED

that the Cabinet be recommended to support the retention of a smaller fraud team, as outlined in option 4, with the aim of being cost neutral.