Issue - meetings

That the revised Whistleblowing Policy be approved.

The Chief Officer (Governance) introduced the Whistleblowing Policy report which explained how the Policy enabled employees, Members and third party individuals (partners, consultants, volunteers, suppliers, contractors, including their employees) of the Council to raise any concerns that they had, and gave assurance about confidentiality and protection.

            It detailed the procedure to follow in raising a concern and detailed how the Council would respond.  The policy provided examples of the types of concerns that could be raised.

            The report had been submitted to Constitution and Democratic Services Committee on 27^th November where it was supported, with an amendment of including local Members as a ‘prescribed person’ for reporting a concern.  Training will be provided in the New Year in relation to that.

            Councillor Rosetta Dolphin suggested that the training could take place prior to scheduled Overview and Scrutiny Committee meetings which would help with attendance. 

            Councillor Jones asked for clarification that the Police were not a ‘prescribed person’, which was confirmed.  The Chief Officer (Governance) explained that the Whistleblowing Policy was a broad policy and there may be a matter which would need to be reported to the Police.  However, in the first instance it would be appropriate to raise those matters with the people named within the policy as there may be matters that need to be addressed within the Council. 

Councillor Attridge moved the recommendation of the report, which was seconded by Councillor Kevin Hughes.

On being put to the vote, the recommendation was carried.

RESOLVED:

That the revised Whistleblowing Policy be approved.