Agenda item

8.1

The Committee received a report of the Director of Legal and Governance. The report provided the committee with information on activity under the Whistleblowing Policy from 2018 to present date. It provided details of the plans to publicise the Whistleblowing Policy. It also informed the Committee on the planned recruitment, support, training and development to equip a refocused group of Contact Advisors.

8.2

The Head of HR, Claire Corneille, informed the Committee the Whistleblowing Policy had been reviewed and considered as still fit for purpose although there had been several amendments.

8.3

Since 2018, there had been 5 reports of Whistleblowing within the Council. This was relatively low for the size and complexity of Sheffield City Council.

8.4

It was mentioned that other methods of reporting incidents had taken place, therefore a primary objective was to promote the Whistleblowing and encourage staff to use the Whistleblowing Policy when appropriate.

8.5

Claire Corneille explained that there is an intention to increase the resource in place to support staff through the process. 7 contact advisors had been recruited along historically, with just 5 remaining.  There are 7 Whistleblowing contacts also detailed in the Policy.

8.6

Members of the Committee asked questions and the following responses were provided: -

8.7

Claire Corneille advised that newly created networks and representative groups could be asked if they would be prepared to acknowledge receipts of Whistleblowing claims.

8.8

Claire Corneille stated that each case is individual therefore there was no timeframe for dealing with these.

8.9

Claire Corneille was unable to explain why all the cases since 2018 were reported from employees in the people’s portfolio. The Committee were informed that going forward, there will be advisors available in each portfolio in the hope that people are more comfortable to whistle blow with people they may know or work closely with.

8.10

It was stated that trade unions are supportive of the Whistleblowing Policy. They are available to support individuals considering Whistleblowing and to provide ongoing support through the process.

8.11

There was no required qualification to be a Whistleblowing contact advisor and colleagues of all grades and backgrounds will be encouraged to be involved through the planned campaign to recruit more.

8.12

RESOLVED: That the Committee (1) noted the information on the activity under the Whistleblowing Policy since April 2018; (2) noted and encouraged the plans for publicising the Whistleblowing Policy and associated ways in which staff can raise concerns; and (3) noted and encouraged the plans for Contact Advisors.