The work of Powys County Council’s counter fraud and error team (CAFT) has clawed back £1.55 million for the authority last year.

At a meeting of Powys County Council’s Governance and Audit committee on Friday, June 26, councillors and independent lay members received a quarterly update report on the work being conducted by the CAFT team.

The report outlined the investigations being conducted by the CAFT team across a number of areas including Council Tax, Universal Benefit, Housing Benefit and into allegations against employees.

The report showed the committee that the work of the CAFT team throughout the year had found £1.553 million for the council from as well as a further £126,000 for the public purse.

The report also showed that one council employee had been dismissed following a disciplinary hearing.

CAFT senior investigator Yvette Kottaun said: “We were very pleased with the end-of-year position and the progress we have made – it was a very busy year, and this year has started very busily.

“A lot of our work is very time consuming but very worthwhile and necessary and we work with colleagues across other enforcement agencies, the police, Department of Work and Pensions, immigration and anybody else who needs our help and we have a vested interest also.”

Cllr Pete Lewington (Conservative – Newtown West) asked: “What happens to employees while an investigation is ongoing?

“Are they dealt with as a matter of urgency?”

Ms Kottaun answered: “It depends on the situation, the allegation and that person’s role.”

Using a hypothetical example of a staff member accused of fiddling their travelling expenses, Ms Kottaun said: “That doesn’t mean they are a risk to continue working.

“We work with HR (Human Resources) and take direction from senior service managers to see whether they remain in that position or are given different duties.

“We try not to suspend people unless it’s absolutely necessary.”

She explained that a suspension occurs when “serious concerns or evidence to support” it is found that shows a suspension is necessary.

Ms Kottaun added: “We do treat staff cases as a priority and will deal with those as quickly as we can.”

Cllr Lewington said that this had given him a “degree of comfort and confidence” in the process.

Cabinet member for finance, Cllr David Thomas (Labour – Tawe Uchaf) said: “I’d like to thank Yvette and her team for the excellent work they carry out, and I think it’s easy to underestimate how important this function is.”

He added that the report “demonstrates overall” that the council’s counter fraud arrangements are working well.

“There’s some excellent work going on there,” said Cllr Thomas.

The committee agreed the report.