Issue - meetings

The committee is requested to consider this report and the corporate approach to fighting fraud to ensure they fulfil their stewardship role and protect the public purse and to note that the Council will actively pursue potential frauds identified through ongoing investigations by the Corporate Counter Fraud Officer (CCFO).

The committee considered the report circulated with the agenda.

Mr Todd presented the report.

The committee made the following comments and received answers to questions as follows:

·             The Corporate Counter Fraud Officer was able to interview under caution which subsequently allows the Council to prosecute. He did not have the power of arrest.

·             If the case went to prosecution the costs of clearing up fly tipping were included in the fixed penalty notice to fly tippers.

·             Concern about chasing debts which may become more costly to the council and not in the interests of the public purse.

·             We are constantly trying to get the messages of the Litter Strategy and Action Plan out to the public to deter fly tipping.

·             Most of the Fraud Officer’s  fly tipping investigations involved ‘professional’ fly tippers e.g. builders, roofers, etc. There had been an increase in fly tipping when the county refuse centres began charging for disposing of waste.

·             A new member of staff had been proposed to take on additional counter fraud work. A plan of work will come to the committee once the new member of staff was in place.

RESOLVED

1)          That the committee notes its stewardship role in fighting fraud and protecting the public purse.

2)          That the committee notes that the council will actively pursue potential frauds identified through ongoing investigations by the Corporate Counter Fraud Officer.