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Agenda item

CFEU Update Report (RIPA and IPA annual update)

Purpose:

To provide the Audit and Governance Committee with assurance over the counter fraud activities of the Council.  Direct updates will continue to be provided biannually.

 

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 the report.

 

 

Minutes:

Emma Cathcart, Assistant Director Counter Fraud and Enforcement Unit, presented the item the purpose of which was to provide the Audit and Governance Committee with assurance over the counter fraud activities of the Council. 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.

 

In the presentation the Assistant Director Counter Fraud and Enforcement Unit made the following points:

 

  • The Annual Report provided the Audit and Governance Committee with an overview of Counter Fraud activities for the year.
  • The focus of previous work was provided as background information in sections 2.3 and 2.4 of the report.
  • The key focus of activity for 2026/27 was around awareness of fraud, as explanation of fraud had become very complex and there was a need to ensure awareness of fraud was made more relatable. Work streams would be established with this aim in mind for staff, managers, members and residents. For staff the focus on awareness would be on the service areas in which the employee operated.
  • Fraud prevention was always considered better than detection and this was why the focus was on awareness.
  • Section 2.5 of the report laid out detail of new legislation. The key differences in legislation were that the focus was on the Council failing to prevent fraud. This meant there was a need to ensure that there were transparent and robust processes in place. Procurement procedures were a particular focus in this area.
  • The website “Glass Jar”, detailed in section 3.3 of the report, despite being developed for Gloucestershire, had been included in the report as it was available for all. The website provided important information and was relevant to residents in West Oxfordshire.
  • Business Grants had ceased, and the process at the Council had closed which was welcomed. Debts still to be collected had been moved back to Central Government.
  • Section 3.8 of the report had highlighted the activities taken place with the National Fraud Initiative.
  • CFEU had reviewed the Council’s housing waiting lists to ensure that this was complete and correct, which included temporary housing costs which was a major cost to the Council.
  • Section 3.13 of the report contained detail of the enforcement work and outcomes in the period and included Council Tax Support investigations.
  • Section 4 of the report provided the annual update on surveillance activities and an overview of policies. The policies included those that ensured that there was a process to be followed for overt surveillance.
  • The Committee was advised that the Whistleblowing Policy had been updated due to a change in the Employment Rights Act. The Committee was responsible for approving the policy and it was therefore important to notify them of such changes.

 

In the discussion the following points were raised:

 

  • Members explored the Glass Jar webpage in more detail. It was noted that, although specific to Gloucestershire, their role included an obligation to prevent fraud in general and as such the website could be viewed as valuable to all and included activities that should be reported to the Council.
  • Members queried which activities of fraud would be reported to the police. Officers advised that they had powers to prosecute in cases of fraud against the Council, within the public interest and evidential tests, and as such would pursue cases themselves. In major cases however the police may have to be involved.

 

Councillor Carl Rylett, Chair of the Audit and Governance Committee, proposed the recommendations of the report. This proposal was seconded by Councillor Elizabeth Poskitt.

 

The Audit and Governance Committee resolved to:

1.    Note the report.

Supporting documents:

 

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