Issue - meetings

          The Board considered a report of the Director, Finance, which provided an annual update on developments in regard to the Council’s counter-fraud and corruption activity during 2024/25.

The Board considered information relating to the following activities:

·       a summary of key development in the fraud risk landscape;

·       HR related investigations and whistleblowing complaints received and actions taken (Appendix 1);

·       the Council’s strategic plans for tackling fraud and corruption, as set out in the Counter Fraud Strategy 2025-2030 (Appendix 2); and

·       the Annual Fraud Plan, which outlined the Council’s operational approach to preventing, detecting and responding to fraud and related irregularities (Appendix 3).

The Board discussed:

·       the use of AI by the National Fraud Initiative and queried if there were plans by the Council to use AI as part of Anti-Fraud investigations. It was noted that the use of AI was an area that could be explored in the future; and

·       National Anti-Fraud week in November and during this period the Council could publicise its work around counter-fraud and corruption activity.

          RESOLVED: That

1)    the annual update report on anti-fraud and corruption activity be noted;

2)    the counter fraud work being undertaken be supported;

3)    the Counter Fraud Strategy 2025-2030 be approved; and

4)    the Annual Fraud Plan 2025/26 be approved.