Issue - meetings

This report provides Audit and Governance Committee with an update on whistle blowing activity, the results of a staff survey about whistle blowing and seeks Committee’s comments and agreements on the actions and plans to continue to promote and develop the service.

Declarations of interest:

None

Witnesses:

Abid Dar, Senior Equality, Inclusion and Wellbeing Manager

Key points raised during the discussion:

1.    The Senior Equality, Inclusion and Wellbeing Manager introduced the report, highlighting that the total number of calls had decreased but that the number of investigations in proportion to the number of calls had increased. 

Tim Hall left the meeting at 12.03pm.

2.    The Senior Equality, Inclusion and Wellbeing Manager confirmed that he had investigated whistleblowing personally in other organisations and that he has undertaken exploratory investigations within teams at the council on wider issues.

Tim Hall returned at 12.05pm.

3.    In response to questions about whistle blowing in schools, officers informed the committee that Babcock was becoming more involved and was responsible for circulating information about whistle blowing procedures.  However, culture change was difficult and every school has its own policies.

4.    It was confirmed that the Whistle blowing policy (formerly known as Speaking Out) stresses confidentiality and anonymity.  These provisions are reinforced to managers. 

5.    It was explained that there were three receiving officers within the council dependent on the types of case.  They were the first point of contact for Expolink and would distribute allegations as appropriate.  For example, if the whistle blowing was about an irregularity, the Chief Internal Auditor would be forwarded the allegation for investigation as appropriate.

Denis Fuller left the meeting at 12.13pm.

Actions/Further information to note:

None.

RESOLVED:

      i.        That the committee NOTED the progress outlined in the report;

     ii.        That the committee APPROVED the promotional activities and preventative measures; and

    iii.        That the committee APPROVED reporting on whistle blowing to Audit & Governance Committee each April on an annual basis.

Committee next steps:

None.