Fraud
We are more committed than ever to improving the lives of our citizens. We currently spend more than £1.2 billion on vital services that impact directly on the quality of life of the 270,000 people who live in our borough.
Worryingly, as with all organisations, some of this money is lost to fraud and corruption. This is completely unacceptable.
The council's Annual Fraud Report 2008/09 was launched on 25 September 2009.
This is not a victimless crime
Fraud deprives vital services of the resources that they need. It's not big businesses that pick up the tab for insurance fraud, it's honest council tax payers like you.
It is up to all of us to be aware of what fraud is and to report
suspicions when we think it may be occurring.
If you are aware of fraud against the council please call the anonymous fraud hotline on 0800 328 9270.
Fighting fraud
We will investigate, fairly and objectively, all suspicions of fraud and where found will deal with it robustly whilst recovering any losses.
To fight fraud we are:
- working closely with the police, detecting and prosecuting those committing fraud
- investing in training staff, technology and investigation methods
- working together with other local authorities to carry out thorough checks to make sure that every claim is genuine
- minimising the council tax burden for honest council tax payers.
We now have a new counter fraud strategy that aims to strengthen our fight against fraud.
What to do if you have any suspicions that a fraud is being carried out against the council.
Fraud is the term used to describe many offences, including deception, forgery, theft, misappropriation, collusion and giving false information.