Waverley Borough Council was a victim of fraud in April 2014. An investigation as immedately conducted which resulted in the recovery of a significant proportion of the funds.

The council also conducted a full review and strengthened its processes and procedures following the incident. The council is continuing to work with teh police, the banks and its insurance company to recover the outstanding amount.

The relevant councillors were informed at the time of the incident as were the council's external auditors. The fraud was also reported in the external audit findings report, to the Audit Committee. This was a public document.

As this is the subject of an on-going police investigation it would be inappropriate to comment further on detail relating to any part of the Police investigation, at this time.

There are a number of inaccuracies in statements being made by Mrs Diane James - the then leader of the UKIP Opposition at Waverley Borough Council. UKIP frequently failed to attend Council meetings, including the Annual 2015 Council/Budget meeting when there was no UKIP attendance.

Committee representation in the year 2014/15 to which Mrs James refers, the UKIP Opposition were allocated positions in proportion to their elected representation on WBC and this included places on both Overview and Scrutiny Committees.

UKIP 2014/15

CORPORATE OVERVIEW & SCRUTINY x 1

COMMUNITY OVERVIEW & SCRUTINY x 1

LICENSING REGULATORY x 1

JOINT PLANNING COMMITTEE x 1

WESTERN PLANNING x 1

EASTERN PLANNING x 2

In addition Mrs James, as Leader of the Opposition was offered an ex officio place by the Leader (Cllr. Robert Knowles) on Standards Committee.

There is also non Conservative Membership of Committees in this current administration (2015/16).

Mrs James lost her seat as a Waverley Borough Councillor at the election in May 2015.

Councillor Robert Knowles

Leader Waverley Borough Council