Issue - meetings
Whistleblowing Policy
Meeting: 26/06/2025 - Audit and Governance Committee (Item 76)
76 Whistleblowing Policy 
PDF 360 KB
Purpose:
To present the Audit and Governance Committee with an updated Whistle-Blowing Policy for approval. To update and replace the existing Whistle-Blowing Policy to highlight key legislation and the roles and responsibilities of Members, Officers and other parties.
Recommendation(s):
That the Audit and Governance Committee:
1. Approve and adopt the Policy attached to this report.
2. Authorises the Director of Governance and Regulatory Services to approve future minor amendments to the Policy in consultation with the Counter Fraud and Enforcement Unit, Legal Services and the Leader of the Council.
Additional documents:
- A - Final CDC FOD WODC Publica Whistleblowing Policy April 2025, item 76
PDF 222 KB
- B - WB flow chart, item 76
PDF 82 KB
- C - Whistleblowing Guidance, item 76
PDF 133 KB
- Webcast for Whistleblowing Policy
Minutes:
The purpose of the report was to present the Audit and Governance Committee with an updated Whistle-Blowing Policy for approval. This would update and replace the existing Whistle-Blowing Policy and highlight key legislation and the roles and responsibilities of Members, Officers and other parties.
Kate Seeley, Investigation and Enforcement Manager Counter Fraud and Enforcement Unit, introduced the item. The Officer explained that there had only been minor amendments made to the wording of the Whistle-Blowing Policy to enhance clarity and understanding. Annex A provided the revised version with changes highlighted for the Committee.
The Officer confirmed that the policy was used across several Councils. It was suggested that due to such policies being heavy in terms of legislation there was little room for councils to adopt an individual policy.
A concern was raised as to the number of channels for reports to be made. The Committee sought assurance that managers, who would receive such reports, received training. The attached flowchart at Annex B was intended to assist the process of handling reports. In addition, following the adoption of the Policy, the Committee was advised that training and guidance would be rolled out to staff. Senior Management had also received training from the Head of Service, Counter Fraud and Enforcement Unit. Finally, it was emphasised that the Council’s Statutory Officers would expect to be made aware of any reports to ensure policies were followed.
Clarity was sought on the use of non-disclosure agreements with cases of Whistleblowing. Officers were not aware of the use of such agreements in the Council.
The Committee asked for an update on the recognition of Trade Unions in the Council. At present the Council had an agreement with Unison who had visited employees. An agreement with GMB had not yet been signed but an update on this would be given.
The wording in Annex B, in which it was stated that an issue should be raised “internally if possible”, was questioned by the Committee. The Officer explained that should a report be made externally then an employee’s identity may not be disclosed to the Council, and this would then be difficult for the organisation to offer support and protection to the employee making the report.
The position and duty of Councillors who were approached by employees with information was explored. The Committee was advised that Councillors would not be protected legally as employees were. Councillors should report to the Monitoring Officer in such cases.
Councillor Carl Rylett proposed approving the recommendations as set out in the report. This proposal was seconded by Councillor Ruth Smith, was put to the vote and agreed by the Committee.
Resolved:
That the Audit and Governance Committee:
1. Approved and adopted the Whistleblowing Policy.
2. Authorised the Director of Governance and Regulatory Services to approve future minor amendments to the Policy, in consultation with the Head of the Counter Fraud and Enforcement Unit, the Head of Legal Services and the Leader of the Council.