Tuesday September 24th 2024
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Paul Kelly
Action Scottish Borders Council is taking to protect the public purse from fraud and error came under the spotlight this week.
The council’s Audit Committee considered Audit Scotland’s ‘National Fraud Initiative in Scotland 2024’ (NFI) at its meeting on Monday, September 23.
The NFI takes place every two years and operates across the UK public sector and includes 110 public bodies in Scotland.
The counter-fraud exercise aims to prevent and detect fraud, submits data and details the outcomes from the 2022-23 exercise in Scotland.
The NFI in Scotland 2024 report highlights significant outcomes, including £21.5 million in fraud and payment errors across the Scottish public sector, while £4.6 million was saved through Council Tax discounts by removing ineligible claims.
The NFI process got underway in the Scottish Borders back in February and March this year.
As a result only one fraud was identified, relating to a submitted Council Tax Reduction Scheme (CTRS) application.
This is giving assurance as to the robustness of the council’s counter fraud framework.
A total of 34 errors were also detected which resulted in over-payments in areas such as the CTRS and in over-payments to creditors.
In total the one fraud and errors identified cost the council £75k, with a recovery process now well underway to put those monies back into the council’s coffers.
The council has various procedures in place to prevent and detect fraud and irregularities.
These include making sure staff follow approved rules and procedures, encouraging staff to report any suspicious activities through whistle-blowing, having codes of conduct for members and staff to promote proper behaviour and reviewing approval, check and access controls annually to reduce fraud and risk.
Councillor Elaine Thornton-Nicol, chair of SBC’s Audit Committee, said: “The council has actively participated in the National Fraud Initiative (NFI) demonstrating its commitment to support the prevention and detection of fraud.
“By identifying discrepancies and improper claims, we can reduce financial losses, protect public funds and ensure our resources can be used to provide essential services.”
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