Decision details

The Head of the Shared Anti-Fraud Service (SAFS) presented an annual report in respect of the Anti-Fraud Plan 2020/21.

In response to a series of Member’s questions, the Head of the Shared Anti-Fraud Service replied as follows:

·        SAFS remote access to partner Council IT systems had improved;

·        Members of the public, neighbours and Housing Officers were the major sources of SAFS being informed of empty or illegally sub-let Council properties, together with interrogation of relevant Council IT systems;

·        The Key Performance Indicators for 2021/22 were similar to those for 2020/21 to allow for managing the workload within existing resources and to concentrate on good quality support and investigations, rather than trying to achieve unrealistic quantitative targets;

·        In terms of whistleblowers, SAFS would only become involved should fraud be alleged by the whistleblower, and all non-fraud cases were the responsibility of the Strategic Director (CF); and

·        It was confirmed that welfare fraud had remained stable throughout 2020/21; tenancy fraud had experienced some movement/fluctuation; and only one Covid-19 Support Grant application had been investigated for fraud.

In reply to a Member’s request, the Head of the Shared Anti-Fraud Service undertook to provide that Member with a copy of an SBC Tenancy Agreement.

It was RESOLVED:

1.          That the Council’s work to combat fraud in 2020/21 be noted.

2.          That the performance of the Shared Anti-Fraud Service (SAFS) in meeting its Key Performance Indicators in 2020/21 be noted.