Agenda item

The Executive Director Core Services submitted an annual report regarding a review of the activities and current issues regarding the Council’s Confidential Reporting (Whistleblowing) Policy and supporting procedures.

The Council has had a Corporate Whistleblowing Policy since 2000. It had undergone a number of reviews to ensure it remained fit for purpose and met best practice that may have emerged and changed over the years. The title of the policy was changed to Confidential Reporting when it was last reviewed and approved by Cabinet in January 2020.

The following key points were noted:

·        An updated list of incidents that occurred in the period 2022-23 were included in the report. During the last 12 months there have been 9 instances of contact, all received via either email or letter. Of the concerns raised, 6 were made anonymously.

·       It was noted that the concern relating to a safeguarding matter as detailed in the report had now been closed with no further action undertaken.

·       The Whistleblowing Policy was a fundamental part of the Council’s ethical framework and the Council had prioritised making more people aware of the policy.

·       The increase in the anonymous reporting of concerns had made the ensuing investigations more difficult to undertake.

In response to Member questioning, particular reference was made to the following:

·       If anonymous concerns were received via an anonymous email address, then the investigator was able to email back, however if received via letter then it was not possible to send feedback.

·        It was made clear to those reporting a whistleblowing concern that every effort was made to uphold confidentiality but if the complaint triggered a further investigation this cannot be guaranteed. It was noted that there were some exceptions in GDPR legislation in reference to withholding information.

RESOLVED that the Committee considered the report and the assurances it provided and committed to continue to support the Council’s overall counter fraud culture and the work of Internal Audit and the Corporate Anti-Fraud Team.