Services
National Fraud Initiative
Fair Processing Notices For Public Bodies (Level 2)
West Lothian Council is required by law to protect the public funds it administers. It may share information provided to it with other bodies responsible for auditing or administering public funds, in order to prevent and detect fraud.
On behalf of the Auditor General of Scotland, Audit Scotland appoints the auditor to audit the accounts of this authority. It is also responsible for carrying out data matching exercises.
About data matching.
Data matching involves comparing computer records held by one body against other computer records held by the same or another body to see how far they match. This is usually personal information. Computerised data matching allows potentially fraudulent claims and payments to be identified but the inclusion of personal data within a data matching exercise does not mean that any specific individual is under suspicion. Where a match is found it may indicate that there is an inconsistency which requires further investigation. No assumption can be made as to whether there is fraud, error or other explanation until an investigation is carried out. This exercise can also help bodies to ensure that their records are up to date.
Audit Scotland currently requires us to participate in a data matching exercise to assist in the prevention and detection of fraud. We are required to provide particular sets of data to Audit Scotland for matching for each exercise. These are set out in National Fraud Initiative 2010/11 - Instructions for participants (new window).
The types of data that we match.
The Council has participated in the NFI for a number of years by supplying information in relation to;
- Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit claimants
- Housing Tenants/Right to Buy
- Staff payroll.
- Blue Badge holders
- Private Care Home residents
- Electoral Register (full voters role)
- Council Tax information (single persons discount)
- Insurance data
Data matching Code of Practice.
The use of data by Audit Scotland in a data matching exercise is carried out with statutory authority, normally under its power in Part 2A of the Public Finance and Accountability (Scotland) Act 2000. It does not require the consent of the individuals concerned under the Data Protection Act 1998.
Data matching by Audit Scotland is subject to a Code of Data Matching Practice (new window).
For further information on Audit Scotland's legal powers and the reasons why it matches particular information, see the level 3 privacy notice (new window).
Alternatively, a hard copy of the privacy notice can be made available on request, please contact West Lothian Councils key contact;
Mr J McCafferty
Revenues and Benefits Manager
Revenues Unit
St David House
South Bridge Street
Bathgate
EH48 1TT
