Whistleblowing policy now open to public

The Council’s newly combined ‘Counter Fraud, Raising Concerns and Anti-Bribery Policy’ policy is now available to third parties, it was confirmed at a recent meeting of the Audit Committee.

Other changes to the policy include more details on how a concern may be raised, and it has been updated to explain the differences between a concern, a grievance and a complaint.

Previously, the policy would have been primarily for employees but now it is open to anyone else locally who wishes to raise matters.

Sinn Féin Councillor Patricia Logue proposed the policy was accepted, saying; “I would like to welcome this updated policy. It is good that it is going out to third parties, maybe if we could do some media on that.

“If it could be up on the Council website that this option is available for people to use if they have any concerns at all.”

People Before Profit Colr. Eamonn McCann seconded it, adding; “I’m just checking my own understanding that members of the public can convey concerns and that these concerns will be handled  in the same way as would similar concerns expressed by Councillors.”

The policy was accepted and passed.

By Gillian Anderson

Local Democracy Reporter