Anti-fraud & corruption strategy

Introduction

1.1 The London Borough of Tower Hamlets has a revenue and capital budget of almost £1 billion and employs around 10,000 staff, inclusive of those employed within our schools. It works with an extensive number of partners including the third sector and private sector. The scale, complexity and profile of the Council puts it at potential risk to fraud and corruption, both from within & without.

1.2 We are committed to making sure that the opportunity for fraud and corruption is reduced to the lowest possible risk. Where there is the possibility of fraud, corruption and other problems, we will deal with it in a firm and controlled manner.

1.3 It is essential that the council is able to prevent and detect fraud, thus ensuring that services are provided honestly and efficiently and Public funds are administered properly. The Anti Fraud and Corruption Strategy outlines the principles that the council is committed to in preventing and reporting fraud and corruption. It should be noted that the scope of this document is concerned only with matters associated with potential cases of fraud and corruption and does not consider other matters of malpractice which are properly covered by other policies within the councils procedures.

Definitions of fraud & corruption 

Fraud "The intentional distortion of financial statements or other records by persons internal or external to the authority which is carried out to conceal the misappropriation of assets or otherwise for gain."

Corruption "The offering, giving, soliciting or acceptance of an inducement or reward which may influence the actions of any person."

The council's anti-fraud and corruption strategy is broken down into the following chapters:

• 2. Background
• 3. The legislative framework
• 4. The anti-fraud environment
• 5. Preventing fraud & corruption
• 6. Detecting, investigating & recovery
• 7. Training & awareness
• 8. Conclusion

It also contains the following appendices:

• Appendix 1 - Information on relevant legislation (Word 38k)
• Appendix 2 - Further information on our fraud response plan (Word 37k)
• Appendix 3 - Our whistle blowing process (Word 51k)
• Appendix 4 - Our prosecution policy (Word 55k)
• Appendix 5 - Information on other possible fraudulent activity (Word 37k)