Issue - meetings
Fraud Investigation Team
Meeting: 23/09/2015 - Policy and Resources Committee (Item 63)
63 Report of the Head of Mid Kent Revenues and Benefits - Fraud Investigation Team PDF 65 KB
Additional documents:
Decision:
1)
That subject to the agreement of Kent County Council, Tunbridge
Wells and Swale Borough Councils, the continuation of a Counter
Fraud Team to reduce the level of customer fraud and error in
relation to council tax and business rates be approved;
2)
That the Head of Revenues and Benefits Shared Service be authorised
to make the necessary operational arrangements as set out in the
report of the Head of Revenues and Benefits Shared
Service;
3)
That authority be delegated to the Director of Environment and
Shared Services to negotiate and subject to reaching satisfactory
terms, enter into a collaboration agreement with Kent County
Council, Tunbridge Wells and Swale Borough Councils for the
continued delivery of Counter Fraud Service for council tax and
business rates; and
4) That a review of the service be undertaken in 18 months with a further report to be provided to the Committee detailing the impact of the service on Fraud and Error.
Minutes:
The Committee
considered the report of the Head of Revenues and Benefits Shared
Services which set out a proposal for joint funding for a dedicated
team of fraud investigators.
Councillor Ross declared an interest in this item as he both
prosecuted and defended clients in relation to benefit fraud in
parts of Kent other than Maidstone. It was noted that as this
report related to a principle of the way this Council wanted to
move forward, it would not preclude him from participating in the
debate and vote.
RESOLVED:
1)
That subject to the agreement of Kent County Council, Tunbridge
Wells and Swale Borough Councils, the continuation of a Counter
Fraud Team to reduce the level of customer fraud and error in
relation to council tax and business rates be approved;
2)
That the Head of Revenues and Benefits Shared Service be authorised
to make the necessary operational arrangements as set out in the
report of the Head of Revenues and Benefits Shared
Service;
3)
That authority be delegated to the Director of Environment and
Shared Services to negotiate and subject to reaching satisfactory
terms, enter into a collaboration agreement with Kent County
Council, Tunbridge Wells and Swale Borough Councils for the
continued delivery of Counter Fraud Service for council tax and
business rates; and
4) That a review of the service be undertaken in 18 months with a further report to be provided to the Committee detailing the impact of the service on Fraud and Error.
Voting:
For: 14 Against: 0
Abstentions:
0