The solicitor to the council presented the report and highlighted that:

·         There had been work with trade unions;

·         The amended policy took into account the comments of the committee members expressed at their meeting on 16 June 2020

·         There was now a check and balance with regard to anonymity and whistleblowing was reported to an independent organisation.

The committee expressed their thanks for the work which had been undertaken.    The whistleblowing policy was a way in which any organisation could learn. 

Following a query from a member of the committee, it was explained that if whistleblowing in schools related to uncomfortable or illegal matters then it would be a matter for the governing body.   If it related to safeguarding procedures, then it should be referred to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) and if it related to a safeguarding issue then it should be referred to the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH).    The only time where this may not be the case would be if it was one of the council’s staff who whistle blew. 

It was confirmed that the whistleblowing policy could be used by councillors. 

Once the policy was approved, then the revised policy would be communicated to all staff and members. 

RESOLVED that:

Following recommendations from the working group the policy as attached at appendix 1 be approved.