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Anti-fraud and corruption policy

Roles

Role Description
Elected members

As elected representatives, all members of the authority have a duty to citizens to protect the authority from all forms of abuse. This is done through this anti-fraud and corruption policy and compliance with the national code of conduct for members, the authority’s financial procedures, constitution and the relevant legislation.

Elected members sign to the effect that they have read and understood the national code of conduct when they take office. Conduct and ethical matters are specifically brought to the attention of members during induction and include the declaration and registration of interests. Members will be advised of new legislative or procedural requirements.

Members are required to apply the principles of good governance regarding their own affairs and when acting for the council including declare pecuniary or non-pecuniary interests, potential for a conflict of interest and record the receipt of all gifts and hospitality. Members must provide leadership by example in demonstrating the highest standards of probity and conduct so as to create the right anti-fraud culture throughout Norwich City Council.

Audit committee

The audit committee and its members have specific responsibility re: the oversight of the council’s governance arrangements in respect of the adequacy of control systems to prevent and detect fraud but also the assurance that processes work effectively for individual cases.

The audit committee considers periodic reports from internal audit on suspected and proven frauds and monitors those systems of control applicable to that area, making recommendation to council where such protection requires improvement.

Corporate leadership team (CLT)

CLT is responsible for the communication and implementation of this policy in their work areas. They are also responsible for ensuring that their employees are aware of the financial procedures and other policies, and that the requirements of each are being met in their everyday business activities.

CLT has responsibility to ensure that effective systems of control are in place corporately and within their service to both prevent and detect fraud and that those systems operate properly.

CLT is required to submit an annual self-assessment of those processes for inclusion within the council’s annual governance statement.

CLT must provide leadership by example in demonstrating the highest standards of probity and conduct so as to create the right anti-fraud culture throughout Norwich City Council. CLT is expected to strive to create an environment in which their employees feel able to approach them with any concerns they may have about suspected irregularities.

Managers

Managers at all levels are responsible for the communication and implementation of this policy in their work area. They are also responsible for ensuring that their employees are aware of the financial procedures Rules and other policies, and that the requirements of each are being met in their everyday business activities.

Managers of all levels must provide leadership by example is demonstrating the highest standards of probity and conduct so as to create the right anti-fraud culture throughout Norwich City Council.

Managers of all levels are expected to strive to create an environment in which their employees feel able to approach them with any concerns they may have about suspected irregularities.

Managers must ensure that special arrangements will apply where employees are responsible for cash handling or are in charge of financial systems and systems that generate payments, for example payroll, the benefits system or council tax.

Managers must ensure that relevant training is provided for employees. Checks must be carried out at least annually to ensure that proper procedures are being followed in order to inform the service annual self-assessment.

The authority recognises that a key preventative measure in dealing with fraud and corruption is for managers to take effective steps at the recruitment stage to establish, as far as possible, the honesty and integrity of potential employees, whether for permanent, temporary or casual posts.

The authority’s formal recruitment procedures (which contain appropriate safeguards on matters such as written references, verifying qualifications held and DBS checks undertaken on employees working with children and vulnerable adults) will be adhered to during this process.

Management investigations into disciplinary matters must liaise with the chief internal auditor (CIA) regarding any potential fraud implications of the conduct / investigation.

Internal audit

The CIA, in consultation with the chief finance officer shall determine whether a concern / suspicion regarding fraud requires investigation by the internal audit as opposed to management.

Internal audit and risk services play a vital preventative role in trying to ensure that systems and procedures are in place to prevent and detect fraud and corruption. Internal audit liaise with management to recommend changes in procedures to prevent further losses to the authority.

The internal audit and risk service shall report to CLT and the audit committee regarding the application of the zero tolerance statement within this policy. Furthermore, internal audit shall investigate all cases of suspected irregularity in accordance with the requirements of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, Human Rights Act 1998, Fraud Act 2006, Bribery Act 2010 and other relevant legislation.

In all corporate related cases where employees are involved, they will work with HR and appropriate senior management to ensure that correct procedures are followed and adherence to this policy.

Employees

Each employee is governed in their work by the authority’s constitution and financial regulations and other codes of conduct and policies, such as health and safety, IT strategy, IT security. Included in these are guidelines on gifts and hospitality and codes of conduct associated with professional and personal conduct and conflicts of interest. These are issued to all employees when they join the authority or will be provided by their manager, plus available on intranet / mandatory e-learning.

In addition to the above, employees are responsible for ensuring that they follow the instructions given to them by management, particularly in relation to the safekeeping of the assets of the authority. These will be included in induction training and procedure manuals.

Employees are expected always to be aware of the possibility that fraud, corruption or theft may exist in the workplace and be able to share their concerns with management. Concerns should be raised, in the first instance, directly with the supervisor/business unit manager. If the employee feels that they cannot discuss their concerns directly with their line management they should refer to the council’s whistleblowing policy which gives details of independent persons they can discuss their concerns.

All employees must ensure that they avoid situations where there is a potential for a conflict of interest. Such situations can arise with externalisation of service. Internal tendering, planning and land issues etc. Effective role separation will ensure decisions made are seen to be based upon impartial advice and avoid questions about improper disclosure of confidential information.

External audit

Independent external audit is an essential safeguard in the stewardship of public money. This role is delivered through the carrying out of specific reviews that are designed to test, amongst other things, the adequacy of the authority’s financial systems, and arrangements for preventing and detecting fraud and corruption. It is not the external auditor’s function to prevent fraud and irregularity, but the integrity of public funds is at all times a matter of general concern.

External auditors are always alert to the possibility of fraud and irregularity, and will act without undue delay if grounds for suspicion come to their notice.

The external auditor has a responsibility to review the authority’s arrangements to prevent and detect fraud and irregularity, and arrangements designed to limit the opportunity for corrupt practices.

External bodies Internal audit has arranged and will keep under review procedures and arrangements to develop and encourage the exchange of information on national and local fraud and corruption activity in relation to local authorities with external agencies such as: police, county, unitary and district council groups, external audit service, Department of Works and Pensions and other government departments.
Contractors and partners

Contractors and partners have a responsibility for the communication and implementation of this policy within their organisation. They are also responsible for ensuring that their employees are aware of the council’s financial procedures, whistleblowing and other policies, and that the requirements of each are being met in their everyday business activities.

Contractors and partners are expected to create an environment in which their employees feel able to approach them, or the council directly, with any concerns they may have about suspected irregularities. Where they are unsure of the procedures, they must refer to the relevant head of service for that area or may approach the CIA directly on any whistleblowing issue.

Stakeholders and partners Whilst this policy is primarily aimed at implementing the necessary culture and processes within the council its stakeholders and customers may become aware of issues that they feel may indicate fraud. They should refer to the council’s whistleblowing policy or they can contact the CIA to discuss their concerns directly.
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