External Whistleblowing Procedures for Suppliers, Councillors and Members of the Public
The Council encourages suppliers, Councillors and members of the public to express any concerns they have about suspected illegal or illegitimate practices involving the Council, to ensure that the Council continues to improve its services and provides best value.
All Whistleblowers can raise their concerns to the Director of Legal Services (the Council's Monitoring Officer), without fear of victimisation, discrimination or disadvantage. Details can be found under contacts on the right hand side of this page.
All concerns will be treated sensitively and where possible in the strictest confidence, although in some cases the Council may be legally required to disclose the information. In this case it will be discussed with the informant.
Concerns will be channelled through the most appropriate office within the authority. Some concerns may not warrant a full investigation, for example, it may be a matter that can be resolved informally or that actions undertaken may have been misinterpreted.
Concerns can be raised anonymously and the matter will still be considered for investigation depending on the information provided. However, it does assist investigations if whistleblowers provide their details and are prepared to give a statement or evidence.
The Council accepts that you need to be assured that the matter has been properly addressed. Therefore subject to legal constraints, where possible, you will receive information about the outcomes of any investigations and the action that is to be taken.
If you would prefer to tell an independant organisation, you may choose to contact the Council's External Auditors (Telephone number 020 7804 0436), The Audit Commission (Telephone Number - 020 7630 1019) and Public Concern at Work ( Telephone Number 0171 404 6609) - a registered charity whose services are free and confidential. Details can be found under external links.
Remember that any fraud, corruption and theft against the Council removes funds from Cambridgshire's 'Public Purse', this is all money that could be better spent on improving the services that we provide.
Internal Whistleblowing Procedures for Council Employees
Council employees with serious concerns about any aspect of the Council's work are also encouraged to come forward and voice those concerns, in confidence, following the Council's internal Whistleblowing procedures rather than overlooking a problem or blowing the whistle externally. The Council's internal Whistleblowing procedures enable employees to raise their concerns in confidence and without fear of reprisal.