Anti-Fraud & Corruption Policy and Procedures

1. Policy Statement
   1. The Combined Authority is committed to ensuring that the people of the West Midlands can have complete confidence that the affairs of the Combined Authority, its committees and joint committees are conducted in accordance with the highest standards of probity and accountability. The Combined Authority is, consequently, committed to combating fraud and corruption wherever it may arise in relation to any of the Combined Authority’s activities or services and involving any Members, its committees or joint committees, or officers of the Combined Authority and the Constituent Authorities and Non-Constituent Authorities who provide services to the Combined Authority, its committees or sub committees or members of the public or other third parties.
   2. In this policy, references to Members of the Combined Authority include references, where appropriate, to members of its committees and joint committees and, references to officers of the Combined Authority include references where appropriate to officers of the Constituent Authorities and Non-Constituent who provide services to the Combined Authority, its committees and joint committees.
   3. The Combined Authority expects Members and officers to demonstrate the highest standards of honesty and integrity. This includes compliance with appropriate legislation, Member and officer codes of conduct, Standing Orders, Financial Regulations, conditions of service, standards of appropriate professional bodies, and any other standards, guidelines or instructions which are relevant to the particular service or activity.
   4. The Combined Authority is committed to establishing and maintaining effective arrangements to prevent fraud and corruption. The Combined Authority recognises, however, that fraud and corruption cannot be prevented and so effective arrangements have been established to detect and investigate all incidents or situations where fraud and corruption is suspected.
   5. The Combined Authority will not tolerate dishonesty on the part of any of the Members or officers of the Combined Authority or any persons or organisations involved in any way with the Combined Authority. Where fraud or corruption is detected, the Combined Authority will rigorously pursue appropriate action against the persons concerned including legal and / or disciplinary action.
   6. The Combined Authority is committed to creating and maintaining an anti-fraud and corruption culture and this includes establishing arrangements which enable officers, or other persons, to express concerns and suspicions without fear or repercussions or intimidation and in the knowledge that the information will be treated confidentially and will be investigated fully and rigorously.
   7. The Combined Authority is committed to working constructively with the police and other relevant agencies in relation to combating fraud or corruption within the Combined Authority or within the wider community.
   8. The Combined Authority will seek to ensure that its stance on anti-fraud and corruption is widely publicised. All officers and Members of the Combined Authority will be made aware of this policy statement.
   9. This policy statement is supported by guidance notes that set out the procedures for applying the policy.