Issue - meetings
CFEU Update Report (RIPA and IPA annual update)
Meeting: 27/03/2025 - Audit and Governance Committee (Item 52)
52 CFEU Update Report (RIPA and IPA annual update) 
PDF 229 KB
Purpose:
To provide the Committee with assurance over the counter fraud activities of the Council. Direct updates will continue to be provided biannually.
Work streams are presented to the Committee detailing progress and results for consideration and comment as the body charged with governance in this area.
The report also provides the annual update in relation to the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA), the Investigatory Powers Act 2016 (IPA) and the Council’s existing authorisation arrangements.
Recommendation:
That the Audit and Governance Committee resolves to:
1. Note and comment on the report.
Additional documents:
Minutes:
The purpose of the report was to provide the Committee with assurance over the counter fraud activities of the Council. Direct updates would continue to be provided biannually. Work streams were presented to the Committee detailing progress and results for consideration and comment as the body charged with governance in this area. The report also provided the annual update in relation to the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA), the Investigatory Powers Act 2016 (IPA) and the Council’s existing authorisation arrangements.
The Head of Service Counter Fraud and Enforcement introduced the report highlighting the following key points:
- The report highlighted the activity of the previous year and provided an indication of the areas of work for the following year.
- Following the implementation of the Procurement Act 2023, work streams would be put in place around processes and training in this area.
- Gloucestershire’s Multi-Agency Approach to Fraud (MAAF) website would be shared with West Oxfordshire District Councils employees and residents following its launch. This site gave advice on how to avoid becoming a victim of fraud and victim support.
- Work had continued with the Economic Development Team to assist with verification of grant application. In addition, work around the Grant Management Policy would be brought to the Committee. This work was noted as important and the volume of grants that were being administered had increased.
- The annual work completed on Cabinet Office’s National Fraud Initiative was detailed. Training had been completed with Enforcement Officers and would be completed with the Planning Team in the coming weeks.
- The data matching exercise in relation to small business rates relief was completed. This exercise was noted as positive for assurance. It had been agreed that this would be completed every couple of years.
- The Housing Waiting List review was in progress.
- The report included the annual surveillance update. There had been no RIPA applications made by the Council during 2024/25. There have been three Non-RIPA applications made, all concerned with overt data.
In discussion the Committee queried if agile working had contributed to any increase in the falsifying of timesheets. It was noted that agile working had added more risk, but that this was an issue that management should be addressing. It was noted that polygamous working was on the rise and was a growing risk, a workstream looking into this was in progress.
The Chair proposed noting the report. This proposal was seconded by Councillor Poskitt, was put to the vote and agreed by the Committee.
Resolved: The Audit and Governance Committee resolved to:
1. Note the report.