Agenda item

Report of the Chamberlain. 

Members received a report of the Chamberlain in respect of anti-fraud and investigation activity since the last meeting of the Committee in February 2017.

During the discussion, the following points were noted:

•           Enhancements in Right to Buy investigations, which might highlight other potentially fraudulent activity.

•           Members asked if future reports could differentiate between the verification activity we undertake for Right to Buy and App Check, against the more detailed fraud investigation cases.

•           A new dedicated Tenancy Fraud Officer, based in the Community and Children’s Services Department, would enable greater participation in London-wide initiatives such as the London Fraud Hub (data sharing).  There would be no reduction in time allocated to this post and the officer would report to the Anti-Fraud Manager. 

•           There was no statutory requirement in respect of the amount of fraud focus required; this was left to the discretion of each local authority.

RESOLVED, that:

1.         The anti-fraud and investigations activity as set out in the report be noted.

2.         The changes to the Anti-Fraud and Corruption Strategy and the changes to the Social Housing Tenancy Fraud – Anti-Fraud and Prosecution Policy be approved.