The authority’s counter-fraud team received 307 referrals during the period covered by the report—91 more than the figure given for the previous year. They said the increase had generally been driven by greater awareness of fraud, improved reporting channels and closer engagement with teams including housing and adult social care. Ms Harlock said: “The increase in referrals is generally attributed to our increase in fraud awareness and improvement in our referral channels.” It added that responsibility for maintaining adequate controls against fraud and corruption rested with council management, as the counter-fraud team could not guarantee that fraud and corruption would be detected. Auditors gave “reasonable assurance” that the organisation was fraud aware, pointing to the improved practice of reporting suspected activity.