National Fraud Initiative
(NFI) – 2008/09
National Fraud Initiative Data
Matching Exercise (Level 2 Notice)
Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council is required
by law to protect the public purse. In order to prevent and
detect fraud the Council may share information it holds with other
bodies responsible for auditing or administering public funds.
The Audit Commission currently requires the
Council to participate in a data matching exercise, namely the “The
National Fraud Initiative”. Similar exercises have been carried out
every 2 years since 2000 and have identified savings in excess of
£300 million nationally in that time.
Data matching involves comparing electronic
data held by one body against the computer records held by the same
or another body, this is usually personal information. Computerised
data matching allows potentially fraudulent claims and payments to
be identified. Where a match is found and indicates a possible
inconsistency there is an obligation on the Council to investigate.
No assumption should be made as to whether there is fraud, error or
other explanation, until an investigation has been carried out.
Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council is required
to provide particular sets of data to the Audit Commission for
matching as part of the NFI Exercise. For the 2008-09 NFI Exercise
data will be extracted from the following operational areas:-
- Payroll
- Housing Benefits
- Council Tax
- Electoral Register
- Transport Passes and Permits (including
Residents’ Parking and Concessionary Travel Passes)
- Insurance Claimants
- Licences - Market Traders/Operators, Taxi
drivers and Personal Licences to supply alcohol.
Further information about the National Fraud
Initiative is available on the Audit Commission website at www.audit-commission.gov.uk/nfi
.
The use of data by the Audit Commission in a
data matching exercise is carried out with statutory authority
under its powers in Part 2A of the Audit Commission Act 1998. It
does not require the consent of the individuals concerned under the
Data Protection Act 1998 in order for the data to be shared with
the Audit Commission. Data matching by the Audit Commission
is subject to a Code of practice which must be followed by all
participants. This may be found at www.audit-commission.gov.uk/nfi/codeofdmp.asp.
For more information on the Audit Commission’s
legal powers and the reasons why it matches particular information,
see the Fair Processing Notice on the Audit Commission website
www.audit-commission.gov.uk/nfi/fptext.asp
If you require further information on data
matching at this authority please contact Malcolm Scott on 01270
537153, or send a message to
malcolm.scott@crewe-nantwich.gov.uk