We are required by law to protect the public funds we administer and so may use any information you have provided for the prevention, detection and investigation of fraud and irregularity.

We hold or have access to information from systems and processes across the council so that we can undertake our work and in doing so to:

• fulfil legal requirements to provide an internal audit function;
• investigate referrals made under the corporate whistle blowing policy;
• ensure the effectiveness of governance processes;
• facilitate the prevention, deterrence and detection of fraud committed against the council;
• investigate potential irregularities.

We participate in the Cabinet Office National Fraud Initiative; a nationwide electronic data matching exercise between public and private sector bodies to assist in the prevention and detection of fraud such as council tax discount, housing benefit and payroll. The use of this data is carried out with statutory authority under Part 6 of the Local Government and Accountability Act 2014. It does not require the consent of the individuals concerned under the Data Protection Act 2018.