06 June 2008
Fraud reporting initiative
To guard against possible fraud and corruption, Wealden District Council has established a new initiative to enable employees and members of the public to raise concerns. Council employees and members of the public can report suspected fraud (excluding benefit fraud) via a new free-phone Anti-Fraud Hotline – 0800 0853278. The Hotline is confidential and available 24 hours a day. The line is operated by Internal Audit during office hours and outside of this time an answer phone service applies. The Council has also established an email reporting facility – reportafraud@wealden.gov.uk.
"Although I'm confident that fraud is extremely rare at Wealden, I am firmly behind our initiatives to root out any fraud that does exist" said Councillor Pam Doodes, Leader of Wealden District Council. "The new hotline will make it easier for the public and Council employees to report fraud in confidence, and I encourage anyone who does come across illegal practices to use it."
Any suspected fraud relating to housing or council tax benefit can be reported using a dedicated free-phone Benefit Fraud Hotline – 0800 318849. An online benefit fraud reporting facility is also available via the Council's website.
The confidential telephone reporting hotline has been created following the recent review of the Council's Anti-Fraud & Anti-Corruption Framework. The Framework includes a Confidential Reporting (Whistle blowing) Policy, through which individuals can express their concerns without fear of victimisation, subsequent discrimination or disadvantage.
"Thankfully, incidents of fraud have been low over the 12 years I have been at Wealden", said David Palmer, Head of Policy and Review, "and I think that says a lot about the quality of the staff we employ and their values. But all organisations are vulnerable to fraud and we have a duty to protect public funding and be as vigilant as possible. It is therefore important we act appropriately and promote this initiative."
Anyone reporting suspected fraudulent activity is encouraged to provide as much information as available. Reporting can be made anonymously but the more information provided allows any subsequent investigation to be completed as thoroughly as possible, increasing the likelihood of a satisfactory conclusion.
