Issue - meetings

To consider a review of the Confidential Reporting Code (Whistleblowing Policy).

The Group Head of Corporate Governance advised the Committee that she had conducted a review of the Confidential Reporting Code.  The Code sets out how to raise serious concerns about any aspect of the Council’s work, who to raise them with and how they should be dealt with.  It had been comprehensively reviewed the previous year and was considered still fit for purpose.  The only change required was the change of name from Members’ Code of Conduct to Standards Committee as a result of the change to a Committee system form of governance. 

A member asked if the Confidential Reporting Code was being used, as that was one method of checking its suitability and was advised that it had been operated.

Another member asked if it had been checked with Unison.  The Head of Corporate Governance advised that it had been as part of last year’s review, but not on this occasion as it had not been changed however she was happy to do so if required. 

It was resolved to note that the review of the Confidential Reporting Code by the Monitoring Officer had taken place and agreed to retain the current policy.