Fair Processing

Fair processing notice

This authority is required by law to protect the public funds it administers. It may share information provided to it with other bodies responsible for auditing or administering public funds, in order to prevent and detect fraud.

The Audit Commission appoints the auditor to audit the accounts of this authority. It is also responsible for carrying out data matching exercises.

Data matching involves comparing computer records held by one body against other computer records held by the same or another body to see how far they match. This is usually personal information.

Computerised data matching allows potentially fraudulent claims and payments to be identified. Where a match is found it indicates that there is an inconsistency that requires further investigation. No assumption can be made as to whether there is fraud, error or other explanation until an investigation is carried out.

The Audit Commission currently requires us to participate in a data matching exercise to assist in the prevention and detection of fraud. We are required to provide particular sets of data to the Audit Commission for matching for each exercise, and these are set out in the Audit Commission's guidance.

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. Data matching by the Audit Commission is subject to a Code of Practice.

For further information on the Audit Commission's legal powers and the reasons why it matches particular information, visit the Fair Processing Notice website.

For further information on data matching at this authority please contact the Internal Audit and Corporate Anti-Fraud Team at the address shown.

National Fraud Initiative

We participate in ongoing fraud detection exercises with the Audit Commission to make sure public money is being spent wisely. We may also share information with other bodies, in order to prevent and detect fraud.

As part of these exercises, details of staff, pensioners and those in receipt of council services is provided to internal audit in order to compare information from other public bodies.

This will make sure that salaries, pensions or services are not issued to people who are deceased or no longer entitled to them, and that income is being declared for benefit assessment purposes.

Participation in this exercise is a key part of our pro-active anti-fraud action plan.

For further information contact the Corporate Anti Fraud Team on 020 8227 2264.

Contact

Internal Audit and Corporate Anti-Fraud Team

Civic Centre

Rainham Road North

Dagenham

RM10 7BN

Tel: 020 8227 2264

Fax: 020 8227 2123

Email: 3000direct@lbbd.gov.uk|