12 Cases Of Whistleblowing In Wrexham Council Since 2012
12 incidents have been reported under the Council’s whistleblowing policy in the past three years, a report has revealed.
In a report due to go before the Standards Committee on Thursday, it is revealed that there has been a total of 12 whisteblowing ‘concerns’ since 2012.
Five of these cases took place in 2012, while in 2013 there were seven cases of whistleblowing. There have been no concerns notified under the policy in 2014.
The Council’s whistleblowing policy (which can be found here on the Council website) contains a requirement that: “The Monitoring Officer bring a report to the Standards Committee at least once a year on the operation of the Policy and any changes in practice introduced as a result of concerns raised under the Policy.”
Of the 12 reported incidents, only one member of staff has resigned from their job. This was in 2013 when an ‘internal audit investigation at a school’, which began at the start of the school holidays.
The most recently noted cause took place in November of last year, when a letter was sent to the Monitoring Officer of Adult Social Care.
Within the table it shows that three separate issues arose from the complaint, however the conclusion showed that ‘concerns were unfounded in the main, however there have been areas where best practice can be established and implemented’.
The report notes that there is ‘no pattern of concerns being raised in any individual apartment’ and that each concern ‘relates to a different issue and Department of the Council’. The report goes on to add that: “The nature of the concerns raised is varied and there does not appear to be any common theme linking the issues to cause significant corporate concerns.”
A full breakdown of the concerns raised over the past three years can be found listed below.
| Year | Department | Officer passed to for Initial investigation | Outcome of Investigation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Environment Anonymous letter received in the post by Head of Corporate and Customer Services from 5 members of staff from Environment | Head of Corporate and Customer Services | No evidence to suggest any impropriety |
| 2012 | Adult Social Care E-mail from member of staff to Monitoring Officer | Monitoring Officer passed complaint to HR Business Partner | Independent Investigation being carried out by external investigator. Interviews carried out with whistleblower, witness and management of the Community Living Service. Areas of concern were identified and an action plan was implemented. |
| 2012 | Adult Social Care Member of staff made appointment to come in to see Monitoring Officer | Head of Corporate and Customer Services | Interview with whistleblower taken place. Managing Attendance Policy looked at and advice sought from HR Service Manager. No evidence of misuse of Policy but HCCS to make representations to those concerned on handling of situation |
| 2012 | Community Well-Being and Development Department E-mail from Union Official received by HCCS on behalf of Whistleblower | Audit and Technical Manager HR Manager | Council already aware of incident and initial investigations already carried out. Perpetrator no longer a Council employee and therefore disciplinary proceedings can no longer be instigated. Disciplinary action was taken by new employer |
| 2012 | Housing and Public Protection Department Anonymous letter addressed to the Chief Executive by Council employee | Audit and Technical Manager | Interview undertaken. No evidence to support allegation and therefore unproven. Some non-compliance with Financial Regulations identified as a result of investigation and this is being dealt with as a separate issue |
| 2013 | Corporate – HODs Anonymous letter addressed to the Chief Executive by Council employee | Audit and Technical Manager | As allegation anonymous Audit unable to make further enquiries. No evidence to support allegation and investigation closed. |
| 2013 | Lifelong Learning Anonymous phone call to HR officer | Audit and Technical Manager | Head of Education Infrastructure met with Headteacher. Audit due at school on 17 September 2013. The audit identified issues of non-compliance with the Code of Conduct. The Chair of Governors was advised and a completed action plan was received. |
| 2013 | Assets and Economic Development Whistleblower telephoned member of Audit team via “stamp out Fraud” – 4/8/13 | Audit and Technical Manager | Initial enquiries undertaken. No formal investigation taken. Requirement to increase awareness of the Employee Code of Conduct to all staff. A revised Audit Bulletin published. Whistleblower notified. |
| 2013 | Lifelong Learning Headteacher and Chair of Governor met with HR Officer – 19/7/13 | Audit and Technical Manager | Allegation discussed with Head of Service Case discussed. Conclusion reached that there was nothing much to be gained from looking any further into allegation. No case to answer |
| 2013 | Children and Young People E-mail received via “Stamp Out Fraud” | Internal Audit | Allegation discussed with Head of Service Case discussed. Conclusion reached that there was nothing much to be gained from looking any further into allegation. No case to answer. |
| 2013 | Environment Department E-mail sent to Chief Executive and Head of Environment – 2 November 2013 | Paul Tharme Audit and Technical Manager Passed to Health and Safety Officer | Action required to review completion of records/PPE procedures. Allegation relating to use of substances was investigated but no evidence found, therefore no action was taken |
| 2013 | Adult Social Care Letter sent to monitoring Officer on 4 November 2013 | Paul Tharme Audit and Technical Manager | Three issues arose from complaint: 1 Service User treatment 2 Culture/management issues 3 Employment contract issues All areas were investigated. The conclusion has been that concerns were unfounded in the main however there have been areas where best practice can be established and implemented and existing practices improved upon. These actions plans are being developed with the department and will be reviewed in order to make sure they are completed and followed up |
A full copy of the report and a breakdown of the whistleblowing concerns can be found on the Council’s website here.
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