Archived decisions

Agenda item: 9

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

Decision Report

Decision Maker:

Audit Committee

Date of Decision:

22 December 2009

Decision Title:

Corporate Anti-Fraud and Corruption Strategy

Decision Reference:

1130

Report From:

County Treasurer and Monitoring Officer

Contact name:

Paul Carey-Kent and Barbara Beardwell

Tel:

01962 847525

01962 845157

Email:

[email protected]

[email protected]

1. Executive Summary

1.1. In September 2009, the Audit Committee considered a self-assessment against the guidance issued by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA), titled `Managing the risk of fraud - actions to counter fraud and corruption', and endorsed the view that the County Council's current approach to counter fraud and corruption is effective.

1.2. Members were also advised that the County Council's Anti-Fraud and Corruption Strategy and related policies were under review and that comments made in relation to the self-assessment would be taken into account during the review process.

1.3. The purpose of this report is to present the revised Anti-Fraud and Corruption Strategy and related policies for review and approval by members. These are attached at appendix 1 and confidential appendix 2.

2. Contextual information

2.1. The Anti-Fraud and Corruption Strategy and related policies were approved by the Governance Committee in March 2005.

2.2. The current review included: consultation with staff in the Employment Practice Centre in Human Resources; drawing on best practice from training events and review of equivalent documents adopted by other public bodies. Comments made by members at the last meeting of the Audit Committee in September 2009 were also reviewed to ensure that the Anti-Fraud and Corruption Strategy adequately addresses the areas raised.

2.3. The overall approach remains consistent. The main changes to the strategy and related policies include:

    · reference to specific procedures relating to gifts and bequests for staff dealing with the care of the old and vulnerable

    · a revised whistleblowing policy which is being developed by the Human Resources department

    · amendments to reflect changed job and committee titles.

2.4. The proposed Anti-Fraud and Corruption Strategy is attached at appendix 1. Although consultation with staff is complete, the whistleblowing policy is currently in draft form due to ongoing consultation with the unions. It is therefore attached as a confidential appendix 2 as it contains exempt information within Paragraph 4 of Part 1 of Schedule 12 A of the Local Government Act 1972 being information relating to consultations or negotiations or contemplated consultations or negotiations in connection with a labour relations matter arising between the County Council and its employees.

2.5. Following approval, it is proposed that staff awareness of the Anti-Fraud and Corruption Strategy and related policies be achieved through the corporate governance awareness training programme. This is due to be launched in early 2010 through an e-learning package targeted at both new and existing staff. The revised strategy will also be highlighted in Hantsnet.

3. Recommendations

3.1. The Committee is asked to approve the revised Anti-Fraud and Corruption Strategy and related policies, subject to any changes required following the outcome of consultation with the unions.

3.2. The Committee is asked to endorse the view that awareness of the revised Anti-Fraud and Corruption Strategy and related policies be raised through the corporate governance awareness training programme and Hantsnet

3.3. That the Strategy and related policies be reviewed every five years in future. (or at such time as significant change is judged to be required, if earlier)

CORPORATE OR LEGAL INFORMATION:

Links to the Corporate Strategy

Hampshire safer and more secure for all:

yes/no

Corporate Business plan link number (if appropriate):

Maximising well-being:

yes/no

Corporate Business plan link number (if appropriate):

Enhancing our quality of place:

yes/no

Corporate Business plan link number (if appropriate):

OR

This proposal does not link to the Corporate Strategy but, nevertheless, requires a decision because:

Of the significance of the anti-fraud and corruption strategy to the good governance of the County Council

Other Significant Links

Links to previous Member decisions:

  

Title

Reference

Date

Managing the risk of fraud

Audit Committee item 5

23 September 2009

     

Direct links to specific legislation or Government Directives

 

Title

Date

   
   

Section 100 D - Local Government Act 1972 - background documents

 

The following documents discuss facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and have been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report. (NB: the list excludes published works and any documents which disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act.)

 

Document

Location

   

IMPACT ASSESSMENTS:

1. Equalities Impact Assessment:

1.1. Equality objectives are not considered to be adversely affected by the proposals within this report.

2. Impact on Crime and Disorder:

2.1. The proposals in this report are not considered to have any direct impact on the prevention of crime, but existence of the anti fraud and corruption strategy and associated policies are designed to minimise fraud against the County Council.

3. Climate Change:

a) How does what is being proposed impact on our carbon footprint / energy consumption?

    No specific changes

b) How does what is being proposed consider the need to adapt to climate change, and be resilient to its longer term impacts?

    No specific proposals affecting adaptation to climate change.