Provision of Independent Fraud Risk Assessment Services

Purpose of this Notice

Wrexham Council is seeking to engage with the market regarding the potential future procurement of an independent fraud risk assessment.

This Notice is issued to:

• Inform the market of the Council's intentions.
• Identify suitably qualified suppliers.
• Gather information regarding market capability, methodology, and indicative costs.
• Inform the development of the procurement strategy and specification.

The Council is seeking an assessment that not only identifies fraud risks but also benchmarks the organisation's counter-fraud maturity against the CIPFA Code of Practice on Managing the Risk of Fraud and Corruption and the Fighting Fraud and Corruption Locally Strategy, with practical recommendations to achieve good practice."

This notice is for market engagement purposes only and does not constitute a call for competition.

Background

The Council is committed to maintaining high standards of governance, integrity, and accountability and seeks independent assurance regarding its exposure to fraud and corruption risks.

Scope of Services

The successful provider will be expected to undertake a comprehensive fraud risk assessment that may include:

Governance and Strategy Review

• Review of counter-fraud governance arrangements.
• Assessment of the Council's alignment with relevant good practice.
• Review of policies, strategies, reporting arrangements, and oversight mechanisms.

Fraud Risk Assessment

Assessment of fraud and corruption risks across key service areas, including but not limited to:

• Procurement and contract management
• Accounts payable and receivable
• Payroll and HR
• Council Tax and Business Rates
• Housing and homelessness services
• Grants and subsidy administration
• Adult Social Care
• Children's Services
• Direct payments and personal budgets
• ICT and cyber-enabled fraud risks
• Contractor and supplier fraud
• Insider fraud

Control Evaluation

• Review of existing fraud prevention and detection controls.
• Assessment of fraud awareness and reporting arrangements.
• Identification of control gaps and vulnerabilities.

Stakeholder Engagement

The assessment may include:

• Interviews with senior officers.
• Workshops with key stakeholders.
• Engagement with Internal Audit, Finance, HR, Procurement, ICT, Legal Services and service managers.

Reporting

The provider will be expected to produce:

• A detailed fraud risk assessment report.
• A fraud risk register.
• Benchmarking against recognised good practice.
• Prioritised recommendations and action plan.

Experience and Expertise Required

Suppliers should be able to demonstrate:

Essential

• Experience of undertaking fraud risk assessments within UK local government.
• Knowledge of fraud risks affecting local authorities.
• Understanding of governance and assurance frameworks in the public sector.
• Experience of presenting findings to senior management and elected members.
• Independence from the Council and absence of conflicts of interest.

Desirable

Knowledge and application of:

• CIPFA Code of Practice on Managing the Risk of Fraud and Corruption.
• Fighting Fraud and Corruption Locally Strategy.
• Public sector governance and assurance standards.
• Fraud Act 2006.
• Bribery Act 2010.

Professional Qualifications

Suppliers should identify relevant qualifications held by proposed personnel, such as:

• Accredited Counter Fraud Specialist (ACFS)
• Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE)
• CIPFA Counter Fraud qualifications
• CCAB accountancy qualifications
• Internal Audit qualifications (CIA, CMIIA or equivalent)

Information Requested from Suppliers

The Council would welcome responses covering:

1. Organisation profile.
2. Relevant experience with local authorities during the last five years.
3. Proposed methodology for conducting a fraud risk assessment.
4. Examples of deliverables produced for similar assignments.
5. Team structure and qualifications.
6. Approach to maintaining independence and managing conflicts of interest.
7. Indicative timescales.
8. Indicative pricing model and estimated fee range.
9. Suggestions on how the Council can maximise value from the review.

Indicative Procurement Timetable

Activity Indicative Date

Notice Issued 02/09/2026

Market Engagement Period 02/09/2026 – 15/09/2026

Procurement Commencement Anticipated October 2026

Contract Award Anticipated November 2026

Expected Commencement of Review Anticipated November 2026

Contract Information

• Estimated contract value: £TBC
• Contract duration: TBC
• Location: Wales / Hybrid delivery
• CPV Code: 79212200 (Internal Audit Services)

Supplier Engagement

Suppliers interested in this opportunity are invited to submit a response of no more than 3 pages by no later than 17:00 (5.00pm) on Tuesday 15th September 2026.

The Council may conduct supplier engagement meetings to inform the final specification.

Participation in this engagement process will not confer any advantage in any future procurement exercise.