Reporting fraud

Fraud, bribery and corruption against the council will not be tolerated and all reports will be investigated.

Members of the public and other stakeholders are encouraged to come forward and report any concerns or suspicions they may have.
 

Types of fraud

Fraud can be by:

• false representation;
• failing to disclose information
• abuse of position
   

How to report fraud

Covid-19 Business Support Grants and other support schemes fraud

In March 2020 the government announced a scheme to support businesses during the coronavirus pandemic by giving them grants of either £10,000 or £25,000.00 depending on their size. 

Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has administered other relief schemes to provide support to businesses and the self-employed during the coronavirus pandemic.

You can report fraud involving these schemes on the GOV.UK website or by telephoning on 0800 788 887.

Benefit or Local Council Tax Support fraud

You can report concerns or suspicions directly relating to benefit or Local Council Tax Support fraud on our benefit and Council Tax fraud reporting form.

Or you can call our Revenues Fraud Team on 01799 510366.

You can also report benefit Fraud on the GOV UK website or by calling the National Benefit Fraud Hotline on 0800 854 440.

Tenancy fraud

You can report any concerns or suspicions directly relating to Housing Tenancy Fraud to our Housing Officers on 01799510510 or to the Enforcement Team on 01799 510545.

Council Tax fraud

You can report any concerns or suspicions directly relating to Council Tax fraud on on our benefit and Council Tax fraud reporting form.

Or you can call our Council Tax Fraud Team on 01799 510366 or 01799 510397.

Bribery or corruption

We will actively investigate allegations of bribery or corruption where anyone acting for or on behalf of the council:

If you suspect a serious case of bribery or corruption, you can report this directly to:

The Internal Audit Manager on 01799 510610 or the Monitoring Officer on 01799 510416.

Other fraud

If you have any concerns regarding a suspected fraud or corruption either against the council or within it, you can contact any of our senior officers.

The Internal Audit Manager, telephone: 01799 510610

The Monitoring Officer (Nurainatta Katevu), telephone: 01799 510500 email: MonitoringOfficer@uttlesford.gov.uk

The Section 151 Officer (Adrian Webb, Director of Finance and Corporate Services), telephone: 01799 510421 email: awebb@uttlesford.gov.uk

The Chief Executive (Peter Holt), telephone: 01799 510400 email: pholt@uttlesford.gov.uk

The council's External Auditor, BDO LLP. The external auditors are completely independent from the council and can be contacted on 01603 615914 or by writing to them at BDO LLP, Yare House, 62-64 Thorpe Road, Norwich NR1 1RY.