Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Assistant Director for Finance (Interim Section 151 Officer).

The report provides Audit Committee with details of the work carried out during the past year to minimise the risk of fraud, bribery and corruption occurring in the Council.

Audit Committee is requested to note the contents of the Anti-Fraud, Bribery and Corruption Report.

Officer contact: John Pearsall on 474 4033 or Email: John.pearsall@stockport.gov.uk

The Interim Section 151 Officer submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which provided Audit Committee with details of the work carried out during the past year to minimise the risk of fraud, bribery and corruption occurring in the Council.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         Members commented that it was good to see the in-depth figures contained in the report and the considerable savings achieved. What was the impact on resources of the self-assessment and was the Council exposed in any areas?  Would there be a benefit to a specific team just looking at this area considering the savings are so beneficial?

·         How good was the process in relation to sharing information with central government?  In response, the Committee was advised that there would be an update on this at the next meeting.

·         As the reliance on other departments to send through any concerns is highlighted as an amber issue, what more needs to be done to ensure that those teams know what they need to do and when they need to do it?

·         Are there any plans to bring in a dedicated policy relating to gifts and hospitality?

·         Was any trend analysis undertaken?

·         The Committee raised the issue of whistleblowing and how successful this was?  The Committee was advised that whistleblowing was maintained as part of the responsibility of the Monitoring Officer.

·         In terms of prevention, how is the loop completed and the findings feedback? How is it ensured that all teams know what the processes are?

·         If this is an annual report, members felt it might be useful to look back at self-assessment to see where we have improved or need to improve?  How is the self-assessment completed and is it peer reviewed?

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.