Training - Shared Anti-Fraud Service
A presentation will be provided by Nick Jennings, Counter Fraud Manager, SIAS on the Anti-Fraud Service.
Minutes:
An Officer from the Shared Anti-Fraud Service (SAFS) provided a presentation on fraud risks nationally and at a Local Government level. The presentation looked at:
· SAFS Objectives (including strategies, policies and procedures to deter prevent and pursue fraud).
· Identified fraud loss estimates by victim.
· Hidden fraud loss estimates by victim.
· Local Government losses.
· Quantifying the unknown – difficulties with estimations.
· The SAFS Partnership and external “partners”.
· Identified risks for East Herts Council and why these are relevant and the role of the Council to protect itself from fraud.
The SAFS Officer explained the size of the team and how they worked with partners to return losses back to the organisation.
In response to a query from Councillor D Oldridge regarding fraud losses nationally, estimated at £7.3Billion, the SAFS Officers explained that it was important to note that this was an estimate. The SAFS Officer stated that although they did not market themselves as a service, it was important to increase partnership working with other Councils in Hertfordshire and especially with housing providers and referred to levels of housing benefit fraud.
In response to a query, SAFS Officers commented that an Anti-Bribery Policy was being reviewed by Hertfordshire County Council’s legal section and that an E-Learning Policy was in place at Hertfordshire County Council. It was anticipated that both these policies would be in general use by April 2018.
Councillor S Reed referred to the fraudulent use of Blue Badges. SAFS Officers explained what information was contained in a Blue Badge pass and the difficulties in catching and taking appropriate action against abusers.
Councillor D Oldridge suggested that SAFS should campaign in schools to raise fraud awareness in young children. SAFS Officers agreed that this was a good idea and would investigate further.
The Chairman, on behalf of Members, thanked the Officers for their presentation.
RESOLVED – that the presentation be received.