Freedom of information response
CFID current fraud investigation within the Council
According to a 2019 report from the Local Government Association,(10.32 Outcomes of the Counter Fraud Fund_09.pdf (local.gov.uk) the CFID, which at the time was a joint partnership with Southend on Sea, Castle Point and South Essex Homes, became the National Investigation Service (NATIS) in 2018.
NATIS currently identifies itself as a Government Function, appointed by the Secretary of State for Business and Trade.
One of the directors of NATIS, David Kleinberg is identified in a number of reports as the as the Assistant Director, Head of National Investigation Service yet, at the same time, he also worked for Thurrock Council as the Assistant Director for Counter Fraud & Investigation, and gave reports at committee meetings throughout 2019 though to 2022.
NATIS currently operates a postbox address with the same postcode as the Thurrock Council Offices in Grays.
This prompts the following questions
What was / is the business relationship between NATIS and Thurrock Council? (that is, is it a 'for profit' business entity spun off of the CFID?)
What support, in terms of office space, admin, post collection, or officer time, did Thurrock Council give to NATIS between 2018 and September 2022?
What support, in terms of office space, admin, post collection, or officer time, did Thurrock Council give to NATIS between September 2022 and 1st October 2023?
Was the role of Assistant Director for Counter Fraud and Investigation a full time role of Thurrock Council or a position occupied by a consultant / subcontractor?
- What was / is the business relationship between NATIS and Thurrock Council? (that is, is it a 'for profit' business entity spun off of the CFID?)
The National Investigation Service (NATIS) is a department within Thurrock Council created to investigate serious crime in collaboration with government and law enforcement organisations across the UK where public authorities and their schemes are targeted. In 2020 NATIS adopted a primary focus on Covid incentivisation scheme related financial fraud.
- What support, in terms of office space, admin, post collection, or officer time, did Thurrock Council give to NATIS between 2018 and September 2022?
NATIS is a department of Thurrock Council and occupy office space within Thurrock Council estate. All NATIS staff are employed by Thurrock. All administrative tasks including post collection are carried out by NATIS staff with the direct support of Thurrock Council.
- What support, in terms of office space, admin, post collection, or officer time, did Thurrock Council give to NATIS between September 2022 and 1st October 2023?
As above
- Was the role of Assistant Director for Counter Fraud and Investigation a full time role of Thurrock Council or a position occupied by a consultant / subcontractor?
A full time Thurrock employee was the Assistant Director of Counter Fraud and Investigation. This role encompassed the establishment of NATIS under Thurrock Council.