Issue - meetings

Report of the Chief Financial Officer.

Tim Fisher, Benefits and Local Taxation, presented the report outlining the performance of the Fraud Investigation Team for the first quarter of 2009/10. It was reported that 11 sanctions had been made in the first quarter, and that although this was below the expected profile, it was anticipated that the target for sanctions would be met for the year as a whole. There had been a recent focus on data-matching activities including the National Fraud Initiative and Housing Benefit Matching Service referrals, and a more detailed report on these activities would be presented at the next meeting of the Committee.

The Committee felt that it would be helpful to include a comparison with figures from the previous year in the performance reports, and Mr Fisher agreed that this would be incorporated in future reports. The Committee asked about the difference between the cost of the team, and the amount of overpaid benefits identified. Mr Fisher reported that the amount of overpaid benefits identified in this quarter had been particularly low, but would increase later in the year. It was reported that an article on successful prosecution in relation to benefit fraud would be appearing soon in Haringey People, and that there would also be an article on the national Fraud Initiative and how to report suspected fraud. Mr Fisher clarified for the Committee that all the activities referred to in the report related to fraud, and did not include overpayments due to error.

RESOLVED

That the report and the work being carried out by the Benefits and Local Taxation Service in relation to Counter Fraud activity be noted.