Published on:
09
October 2012
The Council's Resources and Audit Committee has re-affirmed it's zero tolerance approach to fraud.
The performance of Clackmannanshire Council's fraud investigation team during 2011/12 stands out as one of the best in Scotland.
Convener of the Resources and Audit Committee, Councillor Archie Drummond, said: "Everyone has a role to play in preventing and detecting fraud The benefits investigation work will continue to ensure that the Council maintains its position as one of the most efficient and effective in relation to fraud detection and recovery."
Clackmannanshire has one of the highest performance rates in Scotland. It consistently appears into the top quarter for performance. In 2011/12 each inspector took an average of 10 prosecutions to the Procurator Fiscal. Only Fife Council had a higher average in Scotland. Clackmannanshire issued the third highest number of cautions and the second highest number of administrative penalties were issued.
At the end of the 2010/11 10 frauds totalling £39,340 were detected, compared to 12 fraud cases in 2008/09 totalling £47,328. Of the 10 fraudulent cases, all related to Housing Benefit fraud and £36,690 is being recovered. The balance of £2,650 could not be recovered.
Councillor Drummond added: "Despite this excellent performance an Improvement Plan has been prepared to build on the success. No one is complacent, we want to continue to improve.. The Audit and Fraud team will continue to progress during 2012, with corporate fraud being a key objective of this team."
In 2012 annual fraud loss will cost the UK economy £73 billion with £20.3 billion of this sum affecting the public sector. The majority of this relates to fraud against the tax system.