Summary Kent TFF Notes from Launch – 19th June 2017 Introductions noted around the room. Debbie Dansey gave background to her role and experience in Counter Fraud, new to Ashford BC. DD nationally has represented local authorities at the Select Committee, working also with DCLG about Fraud. In Ashford BC primary role for Debbie Dansey is looking at Corporate Fraud and safeguarding all of Ashford BC services and assets, including social housing fraud. Social Housing Fraud Slides Key issue for local authorities is about the use and number of families in temporary accommodation and how social housing fraud can elevate these numbers. Summary of the types of social housing fraud were provided in the slides. This is not an extensive list and not just about subletting. TFF main aim is to bring all social landlords together to combat fraud in social housing, this is a free forum, and there is also an online Yammer Forum. This is nationwide and not exclusive to Kent. The aim is to form a Kent TFF, with the support of Kent Housing Group. Sussex Tenancy Fraud Forum The Sussex TFF has been established for approximately 3.5 years. Working with the DWP from 2011 and using funding to look at housing fraud. Protecting the Public Purse publications has provided information about losses through fraud. All front line services are at risk of fraud. The Audit Commission have historically produced figures about losses to organisations through fraud, 2% of all stock (outside of London) are being mis-used potentially. Provided examples of successful non occupation cases in Crawley, this is the biggest fraud issue in Crawley. False applications have also been a big issue in this area, and there has been work on this to reduce the number of false applications. Through the forum there is support and sharing of success across the board, with colleagues, members. This isn’t undertaken from an audit perspective but detecting the fraud and stopping it. Every time there is a successful case in court it is publicised in the press, awareness is growing. In the first year over 30 properties were recovered, without Court action, some with interview under caution. Prevention of Social Housing Fraud Act – this has assisted with investigative powers and success. The team works across all the departments and has grown over time due to the success of the fraud work. Questions/Comments How do you get more correct information from local authorities when properties are nominated via an agreement, for example when there is a live in carer? If it is a legal obligation to share the
Summary Kent TFF Notes from Launch – 19th June 2017 Introductions noted around the room. Debbie Dansey gave background to her role and experience in Counter Fraud, new to Ashford BC. DD nationally has represented local authorities at the Select Committee, working also with DCLG about Fraud. In Ashford BC primary role for Debbie Dansey is looking at Corporate Fraud and safeguarding all of Ashford BC services and assets, including social housing fraud. Social Housing Fraud Slides Key issue for local authorities is about the use and number of families in temporary accommodation and how social housing fraud can elevate these numbers. Summary of the types of social housing fraud were provided in the slides. This is not an extensive list and not just about subletting. TFF main aim is to bring all social landlords together to combat fraud in social housing, this is a free forum, and there is also an online Yammer Forum. This is nationwide and not exclusive to Kent. The aim is to form a Kent TFF, with the support of Kent Housing Group. Sussex Tenancy Fraud Forum The Sussex TFF has been established for approximately 3.5 years. Working with the DWP from 2011 and using funding to look at housing fraud. Protecting the Public Purse publications has provided information about losses through fraud. All front line services are at risk of fraud. The Audit Commission have historically produced figures about losses to organisations through fraud, 2% of all stock (outside of London) are being mis-used potentially. Provided examples of successful non occupation cases in Crawley, this is the biggest fraud issue in Crawley. False applications have also been a big issue in this area, and there has been work on this to reduce the number of false applications. Through the forum there is support and sharing of success across the board, with colleagues, members. This isn’t undertaken from an audit perspective but detecting the fraud and stopping it. Every time there is a successful case in court it is publicised in the press, awareness is growing. In the first year over 30 properties were recovered, without Court action, some with interview under caution. Prevention of Social Housing Fraud Act – this has assisted with investigative powers and success. The team works across all the departments and has grown over time due to the success of the fraud work. Questions/Comments How do you get more correct information from local authorities when properties are nominated via an agreement, for example when there is a live in carer? If it is a legal obligation to share the