Introduction

Number of occasions they use powers under the Prevention of Social Housing Fraud (Power to Require Information) (England) Regulations 2014, or similar powers.

This is not directly applicable to Somerset Council as we are not a housing authority. These powers have therefore not been used.

Total number (absolute and full time equivalent) of employees undertaking investigations and prosecutions of fraud.

Somerset Council has externalised its internal audit function to the South West Audit Partnership, and buys 1,400 ‘audit days’ back from this local authority owned non-profit company. It therefore does not have any staff employed specifically for this work.

However,

• Within the internal audit plan 2019/2020, there are a number of audits included which have a direct link to fraud and governance. Auditors are always mindful of potential fraud risks on every audit they undertake.
• As and when a potential fraud needs investigating, days are drawn down from South West Audit Partnership as and when required.
• Under the current bi-annual round of the National Fraud Initiative scheme, relevant officers in payroll, pensions, accounts payable, accounts receivable, blue badges, insurance, VAT and concessionary fares have reviewed over 6,800 data ‘matches’, where National Fraud Initiative work suggested potential irregularities. It is not possible to quantify the full time equivalent involved, but this a significant amount of work.
• The latest National Fraud Initiative data ‘matches’ were received in January 2017 and officers will continue the exercise with the new data.

Total number (absolute and full time equivalent) of professionally accredited counter fraud specialists.

No staff – see above for details. South West Audit Partnership has a number of suitably qualified counter fraud specialists that are engaged as and when required.

Total amount spent by the authority on the investigation and prosecution of fraud.

As above – not possible to quantify the National Fraud Initiative activity in particular.

Total number of fraud cases investigated.

Six local cases of potential fraud or irregularity have been investigated in 2016. Some have been closed and some are with the Police or Crown Prosecution Service.

Total number of cases of irregularity investigated.

Some 6,800 data ‘matches’ (as above) have been examined. Six total fraud irregularities have been investigated, with fraud specialist, legal and police advice as appropriate.

Total number of occasions on which
a) fraud and
b) irregularity was detected

Depends on outcome of active cases.

Total monetary value of
a) the fraud and
b) the irregularity that was detected

Depends on outcome of active cases.

Total monetary value of
a) the fraud and
b) the irregularity that was recovered

None yet for these cases.

National Fraud Initiative work on the last bi-annual round also detected £31,800 of genuine errors that are all in the process of being recovered.