Anti-Fraud, Bribery and Corruption Policy
Prevention
6.1 There are many ways of preventing fraud and corruption happening. The Council has adopted the following preventative measures including:
- Having a sound Governance Framework with performance against it, being reviewed annually by senior management. Reported to Audit & Governance Committee.
- Ensuring that the risks of fraud and corruption are controlled via corporate and operational risk registers.
- The Council's Recruitment and Selection procedure requires that references should always be taken up when recruiting posts externally.
- The officers' standards of conduct makes clear the expected conduct of its employees.
- The members' Code of Conduct makes clear the expected conduct of its Councillors.
- The council maintains a register of all pecuniary and personal interests (and where appropriate prejudicial interests) as well as details of gifts and hospitality received.
- Contracts Standing Orders and Financial Regulations prescribe the minimum standards for financial controls that must be in place within all processes throughout the council.
- Targeted training of services where the perceived risk is higher.
- The council seeks to maintain relevant procedures, including top-level commitment to tackling fraud, bribery and corruption and effective communication, including training. Senior Officers have an additional responsibility (beyond that of the employees own) for ensuring this policy is communicated effectively to staff and frequently refreshed throughout their department along with other good practice regarding ethical behaviour.
- The council subscribes to the National Anti-Fraud Network.
- The council subscribes to CiFAS.
6.2 Each individual employee and Member is responsible for observing these rules and codes. This will go a long way to preventing and detecting improper practice.