Our approach for countering fraud and corruption
We will fulfil our responsibility to reduce fraud and protect our resources by taking a strategic approach consistent with that outlined in the Local Government fraud strategy - fighting fraud and corruption locally. This document provides a national strategy for the 2020s in response to economic crime and fraud. FFCL is endorsed by a range of organisations including Local Government Association, CIPFA Counter Fraud Centre, SOLACE and counter fraud experts from numerous English local authorities.
The national strategy consists of five pillars of activity:
Govern
Maintain robust arrangements and executive support to ensure anti-fraud, bribery and corruption measures are embedded throughout the Council.
Acknowledge
- assess and understand fraud risks
- committing the right support and tackling fraud and corruption
- demonstrating our robust anti-fraud response
- communicate risks and response
Prevent
- developing an effective anti-fraud culture
- enhancing fraud controls and processes
- making best use of information and technology
- communicate our activity and successes
Pursue
- investigation and prioritising fraud recovery sanctions, and punishment of offenders
- collaborating with strategic partners
- learning lessons and closing the gaps
Protect
- recognising the harm that fraud can cause in the community
- protecting the Council and its residents from fraud
We will produce a counter fraud and anti-corruption strategy. This will set out how we intend to turn the five pillars of activity into priority areas for action to protect our resources from fraud.
We will support our strategy with annual counter fraud plans providing more detail of planned action. These will be aligned to CIPFA code of practice on managing the risk of fraud and corruption. They will include provision for prevention and investigation.