Fraud & Corruption
Fraud is one of the many risks that Basildon Borough Council faces however, the deliberate nature of fraud can make it difficult to detect and deter.
In administrating its responsibilities, the Council is determined to combat fraud, whether it is attempted on or from within the Council. The Counter Fraud Team is responsible for the investigation of potential fraud and irregularities for Basildon Council. Basildon Council is committed to protecting public funds by the prevention and detection of fraudulent activity across the Borough.
What is Fraud?
On the 15th January 2007 the Fraud Act 2006 came into force, which clearly sets out the offences relating to Fraud. Under the Fraud Act 2006 the three main offences are:
1. Fraud by false representation - where an individual dishonestly makes a representation which they know to be false, the intention of the representation to make a gain or cause a loss to another or expose another to the risk of loss.
2. Fraud by failing to disclose information - Where an individual acts dishonestly and fails to disclose information to another person when they have a legal duty to disclose it or where the information is of a kind that they are trusted to disclose it or they would be reasonably expected to disclose it, The intent of failure to disclose is to make a gain or cause a loss to another or expose another to the risk of loss.
3. Fraud by abuse of position - where an individual who has been given a position in which they are expected to safeguard another person's financial interests, dishonestly and secretly abuses that position of trust without the other persons knowledge.
Counter Fraud Policy
In administering its responsibilities, Basildon Borough Council (the Council) has a duty to protect public funds and to raise awareness in relation to any potential threats that may affect the financial and/or reputational position of the organisation.
Three of the key risk areas that the Council is exposed to, by nature of its business, are fraud, bribery and corruption. These risks also extend to other acts involving dishonesty such as money laundering, which is covered by this policy.
The Council's Counter Fraud Policy supports the Local Code of Corporate Governance in promoting values for the Council and demonstrating the values of good governance through upholding high standards of conduct and behaviour.
Counter Fraud Strategy & Response Plan
Basildon Council is committed to protecting public funds by the prevention and detection of fraudulent activity across the Borough. In the current climate of reduced funding and financial hardship it is more important than ever that losses to the Council as a result of fraud and corruption are kept to a minimum to ensure that our limited resources are used for their intended purpose.
To deliver successfully against the Counter Fraud Policy the Council's approach and key priorities for the next three years are confirmed in this Strategy, which will be subject to regular review. Key actions have been identified and are set out in the Strategy Action Plan at Appendix 1.
The purpose of the Fraud Response Plan is to provide guidance to employees, managers and the public to define responsibilities for action and reporting lines in the event of suspected fraud or corrupt activity. The use of the plan should enable the Council to prevent loss of public money, recover losses and establish and secure the evidence necessary for any civil, criminal or disciplinary action.
Reporting a Potential Fraud
If you suspect or discover an irregularity perpetrated against the Council, you should immediately notify the Counter Fraud Team (click on either the Report Fraud or Whistleblowing button below).
What do we do?
Fraud - What do we do? (PDF) [1MB]
Fraud Prevention Measures
The National Fraud Initiative (NFI) is an exercise that matches electronic data within and between public and private sector bodies to prevent and detect fraud (for further detals click on NFI button below).