Whistleblowing policy

3.1       Please remember, when raising a concern, that you do not have to have firm evidence of malpractice before raising any concerns, but you must have a reasonable belief that you are acting in the public interest in disclosing it to the council.

3.2       Whilst you can make your report anonymously, please bear in mind that we may not be able to take the claim further if you have not provided all the information we need.

Option One – Raising a Concern Internally with Management

3.3       We hope you will feel able to raise your concern about malpractice with your line manager, Assistant Director or Director in the first instance. You should always consider doing this first if possible.

Option Two – Raising a Concern Internally Through Other Channels

3.4      If you feel that you are unable to raise your concerns with management, then you can report your concerns through one of the following means:

• By email – whistleblowing@welhat.gov.uk
• By telephone:
  • Kyle Houston, Governance Policy Officer, 01707 357496
  • Clare Cade, Governance Services Manager, 01707 357444
  • Sheila Saunders, Legal Services Manager, 01707 357359
  • Whistleblowing hotline (voicemail service), 01707 357264
• A Councillor- any concerns raised with a Councillor will be directed through to the Group Leader who will raise these concerns directly with the Monitoring Officer.

3.5       If the channels in options one or two above have been followed and you still have concerns, or the matter is of such seriousness that you do not feel able to raise it using the above routes, then you can contact:

• Gavin Ramtohal, Assistant Director (Legal and Governance), 01707 357575

3.6       Concerns may be raised verbally or in writing. To enable the council to review concerns effectively, you should give the background and history of the issue, giving relevant details such as names and dates if possible, and the reason why they are particularly concerned about the situation. You should identify the issues carefully and be clear about the standards against which you are judging behaviour or conduct.

3.7       You may ask for a private meeting with the person to whom you wish to raise the concern. If you wish, you can be accompanied by your trade union representative or work colleague, at any meetings in connection with the concerns you have raised.

3.8       Although you are not expected to prove the truth of any concern or allegation you raise, it will be necessary to demonstrate that there are sufficient grounds for concern to warrant further initial investigation.

3.9       It is not necessary for any person to undertake investigations into their concern prior to reporting the concerns, as this may undermine any ultimate action to be taken, particularly if any police investigation is subsequently required.