Issue - meetings

This report details counter fraud work carried out by Internal Audit to provide assurance on the Council’s response to combating fraud and corruption. Internal Audit have investigated all allegations of suspected fraud or financial irregularity in a proportionate manner. Two formal whistleblowing referrals for the Council were received and investigated by Internal Audit during 2021/22.

[PLEASE NOTE: Should the Committee wish to discuss the detail within the Confidential Appendix of this report, the meeting will be required to move into Confidential (Exempt) Session]

The Head of Audit and Management Assurance presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'K' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

The report described counter fraud work undertaken by Internal Audit to provide assurance on the Council’s response to combating fraud and corruption and including details of work within five high risk areas as listed. Specific details of each investigation were set out for the Committee in a confidential appendix to the report. The nature of COVID grant investigation was also explained.

An annual assessment has been carried out to review the Council’s arrangements for managing the risk of fraud and corruption using a tool provided by CIPFA resulting in assessment that recognised a high level of performance within BCP Council.

It was confirmed that Internal Audit had investigated all allegations of suspected fraud or financial irregularity in a proportionate manner. 

Two formal whistleblowing referrals for the Council were received and investigated by Internal Audit during 2021/22.

The subjects for high level risk review included in the 2022/23 were set out.

RESOLVED that Audit and Governance Committee notes: 

a)    the counter fraud work and investigations carried out by Internal Audit during 2021/22;

b)    the whistleblowing referrals received during 2021/22. 

Voting: Unanimous