Epsom & Ewell promotes a culture of openness within its core values and is opposed to any form of fraud.

We have a duty to protect public funds and wish to conduct our affairs in a spirit of honesty, integrity and openness. To this extent there are structures and procedures in place to assist in the fight against fraud and corruption.

Whistleblowing policy

Or confidential reporting is a way for employees of an organisation to raise reasonably and honestly held concerns, that they have about serious matters that could put the Council and/or the public at risk. The information provided is strictly confidential and you do not have to give your name unless you want to. If you do we will keep it confidential as per our Constitution. Our Whistleblowing Policy is included within part 5, section 9 of our Constitution.

Anti-fraud and anti-corruption strategy

Acknowledges the threat of fraud, encourage prevention; promotes detection ; identifies a clear pathway for investigations sets out the appropriate solutions, including the recovery of loss.  Link to Anti-fraud and anti-corruption strategy policy.

Anti-money laundering policy 

We have a duty to ensure procedures are in place to reduce the risk of it being subject to the impact of money laundering which are laid out in this policy.  Link to Anti-money laundering policy.

Anti-bribery policy

We are committed to the prevention and detection of bribery. We have a zero tolerance approach towards bribery and aim to maintain bribery compliance through business as usual approach, rather than a one off exercise. This policy details the arrangements made in the council for such concerns to be raised by employees or members of the public. Link to Anti-bribery policy.

We also have other supporting documents including the Financial Regulations, Contract Standing Orders,  Members Code of Conduct & Officers Code of Conduct that all members, staff and suppliers have an obligation to comply with.

National Fraud Initiative (NFI)

EEBC are required to participate in the  NFI data matching exercise overseen by the Cabinet Office. The Council provide sets of data including payroll. For further information please visit our data matching page.

Housing Benefit Fraud

From October 2015, all Housing Benefit Fraud responsibility transferred to Department for Work and Pensions. You can report suspected Housing Benefit Fraud in three ways:

Online - www.gov.uk/report-benefit-fraud

By phone - Contact the National Benefit Fraud Hotline on 0800 854 440. Your call is free and confidential - you do not have to give your name or address. Lines are open Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm.

By post -BFH, PO Box 224, Preston PR1 1GP

To report a fraud

If you would like to report a suspected fraud you can do so by sending us an e-mail to contactus@epsom-ewell.gov.uk. Alternatively for more detailed information on how to raise a particular concern, please see the relevant policy above.