Ipswich Borough Council’s dedicated Corporate Fraud Service has helped protect more than £5.1 million in public resources during the last financial year.
The Corporate Fraud Service supports the Council’s zero-tolerance approach to fraud and corruption. Its work focuses on preventing, detecting and investigating potentially fraudulent activity, helping to safeguard public resources and strengthen the Council’s financial resilience.
The annual Corporate Fraud report, presented to the Council’s Audit and Governance Committee this month, revealed that officers identified £5,180,208 of irregularity during 2025/26.
A significant contribution came from the Council’s Right to Buy due diligence work, which resulted in 26 applications being cancelled. This prevented losses of £5,018,208, ensuring the properties remained within the Council’s housing stock, continuing to generate rental income and remain available to meet local social housing need.
The report also highlighted the success of tenancy fraud investigations, which led to the recovery of four social housing properties. This is estimated to have saved a further £162,000 while allowing homes to be reallocated to families with a genuine housing need.
Councillor Martin Cook, Ipswich Borough Council Portfolio Holder for Resources, said: “These are excellent results once again from our Corporate Fraud Service. The prevention of fraudulent activity helps us to protect taxpayers’ money and ensure that public resources are used for the benefit of our communities.
“With increasing pressure on local government finances and reduced funding from central government, it has never been more important for our Corporate Fraud Service to tackle fraud and protect services and support for those who genuinely need our help.”
Reports of suspected fraud can be made to Ipswich Borough Council by calling: 01473 433999, emailing fraud@ipswich.gov.uk or online at: www.ipswich.gov.uk/corporatefraud.