Agenda and minutes

Agreed as an accurate record.

To confirm the items of business marked Part I will be considered in public and that items marked Part II will be considered in private.

It was agreed that all items of business would be considered in public.

The Committee considered the comments from this Committee and the Council’s other Policy Overview Committees on Cabinet’s budget proposals for 2015/16.

RESOLVED –

1. That the full set of Policy Overview Committee comments on the budget proposals be submitted to the Cabinet meeting on 12 February 2015.

The Council's Corporate Fraud Investigation Manager, together with two Investigators from the Corporate Fraud Team, attended the meeting and provided Members with details of the work which was carried out by the Team in relation to the detection of social housing fraud.

Investigations

The Committee was informed that the Team received referrals from the Fraud hotline and from a variety of sources both within the Council, and outside the Council such as from Council contractors. For example contractors who were working on behalf of the Council made the Team aware if there had been suspicions regarding the occupants of a property.

Records were checked against the electoral register, Council Tax and Housing Benefit records. Members were informed that intensive and varied visits took place to check occupants of social housing and these visits took place at anytime during the day, evening and at weekends. The Team worked flexible hours to enable visits to be made to homes when occupants were likely to be at home, which proved the commitment of the Team.

The Committee was provided with examples of the meticulous detail which the Investigators went to in terms of their investigations and Members were informed that in the majority of cases the actions of officers would be enough to either close cases because no further action was required.

The Committee was informed that after three visits, investigations would be stepped up. There would be more IT checks and tenants could possibly be invited into the Council offices for an informal meeting. Members were informed that at this meeting, a tenant would be informed that housing fraud was a criminal offence and that a breach of tenancy was a civil offence.

If tenants were adamant that they did live at the property, they would be asked to provide evidence in the form of bank statements, utility usage statements etc. Tenants would be advised to seek independent legal advice and the Council would write a Data Protection Act request to other agencies or local authorities.

The Committee was informed that throughout an investigation officers within Housing, Council Tax and Housing Benefits were kept informed of anything that could impact on the person concerned claim or increased rent arrears.

Members were informed that once a strong case had been built by the Council, it was hoped that the tenant would hand back the keys to the social housing property.

Reference was made to weekly meetings which took place within the Corporate Fraud Team where advice was provided by a solicitor from Legal Services on the course of action to be taken based on the evidence which the Council had. This legal advice was vital in terms of making decisions on whether to progress further with investigations.

Members were informed that if a case did go to court and trial, Investigating Officers attended court to provide evidence. If the court case was successful and a bailiff's warrant was obtained, Investigation Officers would attend the eviction to ensure that the property was ready to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 42.

Reference was made to the item on Oracle HR & Payroll "Phase 2" Planning which was to be considered at Cabinet on 19 March 2015 and Members asked that further information be provided to the Committee next Municipal Year on this project

Noted.

Noted.