Council corporate fraud squad identifies almost £300,000 in claims
Councillor Dickson and Dumbarton Sheriff Court.
West Dunbartonshire Council is in the process of recovering more than £296,000 in benefits claimed fraudulently or in error over the past year.
The Corporate Fraud team identified the money as part of 228 referrals from members of the public, 199 of which had grounds to be investigated.
As a result of their enquiries, 15 cases were passed on to the Procurator Fiscal with six people so far receiving a criminal conviction – one alongside a fine, and five more with Community Work Orders.
Four more referred cases are still going through the court system. Administrative penalties totalling £7,533 were issued in less serious cases.
As part of their investigation work, the team also prevented £734,118 being lost to the Council through benefits, discounts, homeless accommodation and council tenancies.
A total of £7,754 in fraudulent claims was made to the Scottish Welfare Fund, which provides assistance to citizens in hardship.
Three Council houses were recovered from residents not occupying the property as their primary home, freeing up tenancies for genuine families in need.
Other work included 122 Blue Badges cancelled, and fraudulent or incorrect claims for Single Person’s Discount for Council Tax ended.
Councillor Ian Dickson, Convener of Corporate Services, said: “As a Council, we have a zero tolerance approach to all types of fraud. The support we offer is designed to help some of the most vulnerable in our society so it is vital that it is reserved for the people who really need it.
“It is disappointing that some members of the community have tried to abuse this by over claiming, or claiming when they are not eligible.
“I am thankful for the thorough investigations of the Corporate Fraud team which have put a stop to this, and even more so for identifying genuine mistakes made during the claim process.”
If anyone wishes to report a suspected fraud of any kind they can do so by completing an online fraud referral form via our web page or by email to fraudinvestigation@wdc.gcsx.gov.uk or call us on 01389 738217/738630/738374. Every referral is treated in complete confidence.
Meanwhile, West Dunbartonshire residents are being encouraged to have their say on proposed changes to polling districts next month.
The Council is carrying out a review of the polling districts and the places where people vote between 1 October and 12 November.
Officers want to hear opinions from residents who use the polling places during elections.
The findings of the consultation will shape where these venues are located for the next five years.
Councillor Ian Dickson, Convener of Corporate Services, said: “It is vitally important that everyone who wants to vote is able to. We want to make this process as easy as possible.
“In order to make improvements around where people in the area can vote, we need to know where things haven’t worked as well as they should have in the past.
“We always aim to base our decisions on residents’ experiences and so I would urge you to contribute to the consultation. If we know polling places are inconvenient and are given suggestions for alternatives, we can make these improvements.”
A list of the proposed polling places and other relevant information is available online at http://www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk/council/ or for inspection at main libraries and at 16 Church Street, Dumbarton.
Representations should be addressed in writing to Peter Hessett, Strategic Lead – Regulatory, by email to elections@west-dunbarton.gov.uk or by letter to the Election Office, Municipal Buildings, College Street, Dumbarton G82 1NR.
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