Agenda item - Whistleblowing Policy

Joint report of the Executive Director of Finance & Resources and the Head of Law & Monitoring (copy attached).

79.1         The Committee considered a joint report of the Executive Director of Finance & Resources and the Monitoring Officer concerning the Whistleblowing Policy. At the meeting on 24 September 2013 the Committee considered a report detailing the Council’s existing whistleblowing arrangements and it was agreed a review would be undertaken to ensure they were fit for purpose. The report sought to brief the Committee on the findings and the proposals for ensuring that the whistleblowing arrangements remained effective and robust.

79.2         Councillor Summers asked a series of questions and the following responses were given: Currently the online training module was not compulsory for new employees, but was recommended as part of the corporate checklist. There was a role for staff in understanding the public interest and the policy gave examples of the type of issues that it would cover. In relation to the unions they had not been involved in the drafting of the policy, but had previously been supportive of such work; their greater involvement could be considered for the future.

79.3         RESOLVED - That the Committee:

(1)               Note the findings of the recent review of the council’s Whistleblowing Policy, as set out in paragraphs 3.5-3.11;

(2)               Note the proposed actions, set out at paragraph 3.12, intended to improve the effectiveness of that Policy; and,

(3)               Agree the slight amendments to the policy as shown in the tracking in Appendix 1.