Cardiff Council is currently investigating fraudulent activities within its operations, as reported by Wales Online. The council’s director of economic development, Neil Hanratty, disclosed this information during a recent meeting of the council’s governance and audit committee. The discussion primarily revolved around a previous instance of fraud that occurred approximately eight years ago within the waste department.
Hanratty described the ongoing investigation as minor in comparison to a significant fraud incident that led to the imprisonment of council staff in November 2023. The review of the past case highlighted a substantial improvement in the management of waste services at Cardiff Council. Hanratty expressed confidence that the enhanced governance measures put in place since 2017 should help prevent a recurrence of large-scale fraud in the future.
Despite this progress, Hanratty noted that recent monitoring efforts had flagged anomalies that are currently under scrutiny. The detection of fraudulent activity was attributed to robust and consistent monitoring practices, particularly in tracking vehicle movements.
The prior fraudulent activities at Cardiff Council’s waste department, which came to light in 2017, involved council staff receiving cash bribes from a skip firm boss for under-weighing waste deliveries. The fraudulent contracts led to significant financial losses for the council. Several employees involved in the scheme, including Cesario Deabreu, Joshua Hayman, Andrew Barnett, and Anthony Miles, faced legal actions, with varying sentences handed down.
Matthew Wakelam, assistant director of street scene, welcomed the outcomes of the post-trial review and emphasised the implementation of preventative measures to combat fraudulent activities. Strengthened software systems and enhanced segregation of duties aim to mitigate the risks of similar incidents occurring in the future.
Moving forward, Cardiff Council remains committed to upholding transparency and accountability in its operations to safeguard against fraudulent behaviours. The council’s proactive approach to identifying and addressing irregularities demonstrates a dedication to ensuring integrity and trust within the organisation.