COUNCIL'S INTERNAL AUDIT COMPANY WINS TOP INDUSTRY AWARD (York Liberal Democrats)

York Liberal Democrats <info@yorklibdems.org.uk>

COUNCIL'S INTERNAL AUDIT COMPANY WINS TOP INDUSTRY AWARD

May 20, 2010 12:00 AM

Veritau, the company jointly set up by City of York Council and North Yorkshire County Council to hand counter fraud and internal audit, has been recognised with the highest award in the industry, only a year after it was set up.

Earlier this week at the national conference of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance & Accountancy (CIPFA) Veritau was given the 'Cliff Nicholson Award' for Innovation and Excellence in Public Service Audit.

Liberal Democrat Executive Member for Corporate Services, Councillor Richard Moore said the award came at the end of a very successful first year for the company.

He said, "I am delighted at the positive results Veritau has managed to achieve in it's first year, the staff have worked very hard to make Veritau a success. To receive the highest award in the industry only a year after being created is a great achievement for the company."

"I would like to thank all the staff for their hard work in making the company a success over the first year and look forward to seeing Veritau going from strength to strength over the next few years."

Veritau was set up in April 2009 and in the year since Veritau was created the counter fraud team has prosecuted 21 people for benefit related fraud and applied 23 other sanctions for benefit related fraud at the council as well as identifying more than £300,000 worth of fraud and error in the benefits system.

The company has also worked hard to update the Council's counter fraud and information governance strategies, as well as taking on work from other Councils, including winning a contract to provide benefit fraud services to Ryedale District Council.