CIPFA Better Governance Forum The CIPFA Red Book Red Book.pdf 

Our publication on Managing the risk of Fraud, is recognised as being the state of the art. It provides guidance on what action is needed for an organisation to be effective in countering fraud and corruption.  It supplies a counter fraud framework for organisations and individuals in all sectors of the economy. We are further developing the CIPFA Red Book itself and support for it.

In 2008 there will be: 

 ▪           Red Book II -  definitions, explanations, examples & links to materials▪          

• Guide for determining fraud risks - a risk based approach for counter fraud activity

▪           Counter fraud health check – independent evaluation of your counter fraud arrangements

▪           Workshops – a series of events to give delegates the latest on the National Fraud Strategic Authority - the biggest ever UK counter fraud initiative, addressing fundamentals like how counter fraud should be approached, sharing data, plea negotiation, trials without juries. The CIPFA Red Book is at the heart of this

▪           The CIPFA Certificate in Investigative Practice (CCIP ) - the counter fraud qualification providing professional training & a CIPFA qualification for the investigations element of the Red Book. Modules are 12 days in London in spring between 1 April and 19 June and in the autumn between 2 September and 27 November▪           News - the popular weekly newsletter, containing the latest fraud issues

▪           Website - the BGF counter fraud website (www.cipfanetworks.net/governance), offering documentation, useful tips and resources for practitioners; including a 24 hour news feed on fraud

▪           Events – a range of other events supporting elements of the Red Book, such as money laundering, data protection, ripa and counter fraud good practice.  The BGF Service Brochure is available at: www.cipfanetworks.net/governance

Happy New Year to you all.

Back to work, woe is me, trains cancelled around the country, snow and piles of reading.

It looks like it will be another busy year for the BGF. We are assisting with the Attorney General's fraud review and will be doing some workshops on this area in the Spring.

We are working on 2 new products linked to the BGF publication on Managing the risk of fraud (the red book), a counter fraud healthcheck  and a fraud risk diagnostic tool.

We will also be issuing guidance on severance agreements in the new few weeks, jointly with Weightmans Solicitors.

Shane Flynn is joining the BGF to work on some new publications on Fraud and internal audit and the toolkits. 

We also have the Audit Commission's 50 page joint consultation on Comprehensive Area Assessments in which governance should figure highly.  Not sure if their terminology on Area Risk Assessments is quite right, I think it should be called area performance assessments. Risk makes one think more of dangers in an area or risks of not achieving objectives.

On ethical standards greater powers will be devolved to local authorities to enforce high standards of conduct for local councillors through innovative proposals published for consultation by Local Government Minister John Healey on the 3rd January.

Reckless or repeated breaches of data security should become a criminal offence, a committee of MPs says.  So expect legislation on this some time this year.

We are working on 2 new products linked to the BGF publication on Managing the risk of fraud, a counter fraud healthcheck  and a fraud risk diagnostic tool.

We are just finalising the 2008 brochure to send out to you with renewal letters for April. 

We are in the process of appointing a new risk manager to run the risk management stream and assist on audit.  Hope to have someone in post by the Spring.

So all in all a busy start to the year and we look forward to working with you again in 2008.

regards

 Sandra Moss

Manager BGF

Welcome to my first blog.  I shall endeavour to keep you informed of news and views on a regular basis.

We have as ever been very busy in the BGF.  Our annual conference has now been arranged and is taking place at Wembley Stadium.  Please book on as soon as possible.  It is proving very popular and we had 13 bookings before we had even advertised it.

Ian Horwood is unfortunately still unwell and we send him our good wishes.  Elizabeth Humphries has been doing an outstanding job on risk management in his absence.  She has her first series of workshops on partnerships and shared services in June.  So please all turn out to support her.

We are doing lots of in house training on the new Code of Conduct for Members and also Audit Committee training.  Let me know if you are interested.

We intend to run a couple of quick workshops on the new Corporate Governance Framework for  Local Government and the new SIC, after the document is launched at the CIPFA Conference.

The Home Office have been very busy with two new consultation papers, one on how much do we lose to organised crime and the other on getting your money back. 

I still have not seen any concluded cases under the new Fraud Act, let me know if you come across any.  I had a query this week as to whether NINO's are identity documents for the purposes of the Identity Card Act 2006.  The Home office view is that they are not and individuals presenting false NINO's cannot be charged under the Act.  Still trying to work out the reasoning and not sure if I agree at present.  Will keep you informed.

I have been out looking at some new products to bring to BGF subscribers and will give you more details in due course.

I am off on holiday to sunny Turkey for a week and my blog will resume upon my return.

Have a good long weekend.

regards

Sandra