Mr Steven Tinkler, Interim Head of Audit and Risk Management introduced this report stating the report provided an update on the progress against the delivery of the 2018-19 Annual Audit Plan, as well as the current counter fraud performance and audits which have received limited assurance ratings.

In response to questions from Members about the report, the following was noted:

·         Members made several suggestions as to the areas of fraud it would like the counter-fraud team to examine. Mr Tinkler said he would take on board the suggestions of proceeds from crime and planning enforcements.

·         In respect to Blue Badge fraud, Members enquired if the counter-fraud team were expecting to hit their targets. Mr Tony Qayum, Corporate Anti-Fraud Manager confirmed his team would be exceeding the target. He said the council was benchmarked against other London Boroughs and Tower Hamlets was a high performing borough. They had concentrated efforts around the Royal London Hospital and had increased the number of prosecutions undertaken.

·         Members enquired if ‘Right to buy’ fraud, such as money laundering was pursued by the team. Mr Qayum stated this was part of Tower Hamlets Homes ‘right to buy’ processes – they are required to check each applicant’s application and to safeguard the interest of the public purse, by knowing where the deposit/ money is coming from.

Members of the Committee also heard from each Service Area Director where a limited assurance had been given:

Attendance Management including Annual Leave

Amanda Harcus, Divisional Director for Human Resources stated steady progress had been made in short and long term absence. Ms Harcus said investment had been made into a new system called “1^st Call” where staff will be able to speak to a nurse, when they call in sick. The traction period in the number of days taken sick will not be immediate as the new system will need time to bed in. Ms Harcus said the sickness policy is under review and long and short term sickness needs to be treated differently.

Staff Declaration of Interests – Follow up audit

Amanda Harcus, Divisional Director for Human Resources said the HR system to capture staff declarations had been automated and the response rate was 83%. She said staff should complete a declaration annually however as there were two different systems in place the HR team were in the process of procuring a new system. It will take 9 months for the systems to align so at present the capture of data is a mixed bag.

Members asked if the sample testing was a paper exercise, Page 53, bullet point 4. Ms Harcus stated that the Addeco system would flag up incomplete Declarations and it was for line managers to chase their staff members.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) – 2^nd follow up Audit

Ms Amanda Harcus, informed members the code of conduct policy was under review and clear guidance will be provided to managers about which posts require DBS checks and those that do not. This would  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4