Issue - meetings

This report informs Members of the outcome of the review of the Borough Council’s Whistleblowing Policy.

The report of the Interim Chief Executive advised of the outcome of the annual review of the Borough Council’s Whistleblowing Policy following its consideration by the Audit Committee on 15 January 2024.  A copy of the updated internal Whistleblowing Policy was attached at Annex 1 with the new Whistleblowing Procedure at Annex 2.  In addition, to align with best practice, an external policy to be made available to support those working externally who might witness wrongdoing by officers and councillors, was attached at Annex 3. 

RESOLVED:  That the Whistleblowing Policy, as attached at Annex 1, and accompanying Whistleblowing Procedure and External Policy, as set out in Annexes 2 and 3 respectively, be approved.

This report informs Members of the outcome of the biennial review of the Council’s Anti-Fraud, Bribery and Corruption Policy and Whistleblowing Policy.

The report informed Members of the outcome of the biennial review of the Council’s Anti-Fraud, Bribery and Corruption Policy and Whistleblowing Policy. 

The review had identified Grant Funding, Procurement Fraud and Mandate Fraud as additional fraud/error risks. 

The Whistleblowing Policy and Procedure, attached at Annex 2 and 3 to the report, were also presented and it was noted that there were no changes required to bring the documents up to date with best practice following its last review in January 2022, with the exception of some minor amendments.  The external Whistleblowing Policy, which provided the public and those providing services to the organisation to raise concerns, was also presented and was attached at Annex 4 to the report.

During discussion, an update was sought on the Council’s procurement resources and it was noted that the options were being discussed.

RESOLVED:That

(1)    the Anti-Fraud, Bribery and Corruption Policy (attached as Annex 1) be approved;

(2)    the General Purposes Committee be invited to approve the Whistleblowing Policy (attached as Annex 2); and

(3)    any necessary amendments to key contacts held within the Whistleblowing Policy be delegated to officers as and when they occur.