This report sets out the updated Anti-Fraud and Corruption Strategy and Anti-Money Laundering Policy for approval and a newly developed Fraud Sanction and Prosecution Policy for formal adoption.

The Committee considered a report setting out for approval the Council’s updated Anti-Fraud and Corruption Strategy and Anti-Money Laundering Policy and a newly developed Fraud Sanction and Prosecution Policy.  The following documents were attached to the report:

·       Appendix A - Anti-Fraud, Bribery and Corruption Policy

·       Appendix B - Anti-Money Laundering Policy

·       Appendix C - Fraud Sanction and Prosecution Policy

The report noted that the Council’s Anti-Fraud, Bribery and Corruption Policy was designed to promote prevention, encourage detection, and establish a clear framework for investigation.  The revised policy, attached to the report at Appendix A, aligned with best practice guidance from the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA), the National Audit Office, and the Fighting Fraud and Corruption Locally Strategy 2020 and had been updated to reflect the introduction of the new Failure to Prevent Fraud offence, which had come into force on 1 September 2025.

The report explained that local authorities were not legally required to comply with the Money Laundering Regulations 2017, but that CIPFA guidance recommended that councils adopted the principles of the legislation, given its relevance to certain areas of local government activity.  Accordingly, the Council had a responsibility to implement internal procedures aimed at preventing the misuse of its services for money laundering purposes.  An updated Anti-Money Laundering Policy, attached to the report at Appendix B, would help staff recognise and respond to potentially suspicious transactions encountered in the course of their duties.  The policy outlined a clear process for reporting concerns to a designated officer for assessment and, where appropriate, escalation to the relevant authorities.

The report noted that if the Council was to be effective in preventing and deterring fraud and corruption it was essential that it had in place a transparent response that reinforced the message that acts of fraud committed against the Council would be dealt with robustly.  The proposed Fraud Sanction and Prosecution Policy, attached to the report at Appendix C,showed that fraud would not be tolerated and indicated how those who committed fraud against the Council could expect to be dealt with. The Policy also acted as a guide and procedural note on how and when certain sanctions might be applied and who key decision makers were. The report also set out arrangements for publication, training and awareness to embed the updated and new policies.

Resolved –

(1)       That the Council’s revised Anti-Fraud, Bribery and Corruption Policy, as attached to the report at Appendix A, be approved;

(2)       That the Council’s revised Anti-Money Laundering Policy, as attached to the report at Appendix B, be approved;

(3)       That the new Fraud Sanction and Prosecution Policy, as attached to the report at Appendix C, be adopted.