Local authorities are advised to have ‘robust’ procedures to protect whistleblowers and to agree who will consider the disclosures.
It comes after a written question was asked by Douglas MHK Chris Thomas to the Department of Infrastructure Minister Tim Crookall about whistleblowing arrangements within local authorities.
The answer provided by Minister Crookall says authorities and related bodies are separate legal entities and are therefore responsible for following the requirements of legislation.
This includes the Employment Act 2006 which sets out how a worker can make a disclosure to their employer – as well as affording statutory protection to an employee.
The answer adds that clerks and other officers should follow their authority’s whistleblowing policy and report the concerns to the relevant designated person.
The question can be found here.