Whistleblowing Policy September 2024 - Legal Protection for Workers with Concerns at Work
In this section
- What is this about?
- What legal protection do I have?
- Will I be protected if I make a public disclosure?
- What support can I expect?
- What is the Council’s attitude to malpractice in the workplace?
- Who can blow the whistle?
- What can I blow the whistle about?
- How does the policy fit in with other Council policies?
- What if I am already involved in another HR procedure?
- How does this policy fit with the Members’ Code of Conduct?
- What if I want to make anonymous allegations?
- Is my identity kept confidential?
- How do I raise a concern?
- What happens after I have raised my concerns?
- How will we deal with your concerns?
- What happens if my concerns are not confirmed after an investigation?
- What happens if I am not happy with the Council’s response?
- Who is responsible for this policy?
- What happens to your ‘information’ and ‘personal data’?
- Appendices
How do I raise a concern?
34. You should not approach or accuse individuals directly or attempt to investigate the matter yourself. Instead, can raise your concerns with your line manager or if you prefer, one of the Council’s dedicated Whistleblowing Officers, as shown below:
| Whistleblowing Officer | Job Title/e-mail address | Phone number |
| Nigel J Evans |
Practice Support Manager NEvans@carmarthenshire.gov.uk |
01267 224694 (Extension 4694) |
| Tracey Thomas |
Principal Development Officer TrThomas@carmarthenshire.gov.uk |
01267 246202 (Extension 6202) |
| Jan Coles |
Head of Children’s Services JColes@carmarthenshire.gov.uk |
07812 475396 |
| Nicola J Evans |
Business Support Manager NJEvans@carmarthenshire.gov.uk |
01267 224124 (Extension 4124) |
| Paul Ridley |
Civil Contingencies Manager PRidley@carmarthenshire.gov.uk |
07947 793068 |
| Cathy Richards |
Senior Safeguarding Manager CRichards@carmarthenshire.gov.uk |
01267 228995 (Extension 2995) |
35. The person you speak to and raise your concerns will offer you some initial advice and guidance and will normally become your “Contact Officer”. This will depend on the nature of your concerns and could be someone else with your agreement.
36. If you do not wish to raise your concerns with your line manager or one of the Council’s dedicated Whistleblowing Officers you can raise your concerns through the Council’s confidential Whistleblowing mailbox by emailing CEWhistleBlowing@carmarthenshire.gov.uk This mailbox is only viewed by the Monitoring Officer and Deputy Monitoring Officer in the Legal Department.
37. Alternatively, you could contact one of the people listed below, who will note your concerns and arrange for another person to be appointed as contact officer to provide you with advice and guidance:
| Name | Job Title/e-mail address | Phone number |
| Wendy Walters |
Chief Executive WSWalters@carmarthenshire.gov.uk |
01267 224112 |
| Steve Murphy |
Head of Law, Governance and Civil Services/Monitoring Officer SPMurphy@carmarthenshire.gov.uk |
01267 224010 |
| Robert Edgecombe |
Legal Services Manager/Deputy Monitoring Officer rjedgeco@carmarthenshire.gov.uk |
01267 224693 |
| Chris Moore |
Director of Corporate Services (including responsibility for proper administration of financial affairs) cmoore@carmarthenshire.gov.uk |
01267 224120 |
| Paul Thomas |
Assistant Chief Executive (People, Digital and Policy) |
01267 226123 |
| Mary Dodd |
Chair of Standards Committee MDodd@carmarthenshire.gov.uk |
|
| Helen Pugh |
Head of Revenues and Financial Compliance HLPugh@carmarthenshire.gov.uk |
01267 246223 |
You are welcome to contact me in Welsh or English
38. You may seek the support of a companion, i.e. a recognised trade union official or representative or a work colleague, to assist you in raising your concerns and accompany you at any meeting through this procedure.
| Contact names | Trades Union | E-mail address | Phone number |
| Debbie Gough | UNISON | 01267 852013 | |
| Brian Harries | Unite | 07718 925787 | |
| Jonathan James | GMB | 07581 334769 |
39. If you would prefer to contact an outside organisation instead then a list of useful contacts is given at paragraph 49 below. It is better to contact one of the external organisations listed than to overlook your concerns.