Issue - meetings

An annual review of the Council’s:

·       Anti-Fraud & Corruption Policy,

·       Whistleblowing Policy,

·       Declaration of Interests, Gifts & Hospitality Policy (for Officers)

·       Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) & Investigatory Powers Act (IPA) Policy

has taken place to ensure they are updated in line with best practice and legislation.

Some minor changes have been made to the Council’s Anti-Fraud & Corruption Policy including updating manager guidance to clarify arrangements for contacting the Police and the Insurance Team where a theft or burglary has occurred. Appendix C of the policy ‘Anti-Money Laundering Requirements’ has also been updated with additional possible indicators of money laundering to look out for and an updated link to relevant legislation.

The Whistleblowing Policy has been updated with some minor changes including amendments to the outcome template letter, an updated Children’s safeguarding contact number and Employment Rights Act legislation reference. Some minor amendments have also been made to the Seven Stage Whistleblowing Policy (Appendix 1) to clarify the process. In addition in Section 6 of the policy ‘How Is This Policy Implemented’ the process to follow if the individual is dissatisfied with the outcome response or the process followed has been highlighted.

Some changes have been made to the Council’s Declaration of Interests, Gifts & Hospitality Policy (for Officers) including a clearer statement that the Council requires all employees to consider their specific job role, not just their Council employment and personal circumstance when deciding whether to make a declaration. Guidance has been added on the Council giving/ receiving donations and clarification made for giving/receiving sponsorship. Additional clarification has also been made of terms used regarding officer tiers in Appendix A.

The Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) and Investigatory Powers Act (IPA) Policy has been updated with some minor changes to include reference & links to Home Office Code of Practices for Covert Surveillance and Property interference (Aug 2018), Interception of Communications (Dec 2022) and Covert Human Intelligence Sources (Dec 2022). Links to other relevant legislation have also been added throughout the document.

The Head of Audit and Management Assurance presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'A' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

The report comprised the annual review of the Council’s Anti-Fraud & Corruption Policy, Whistleblowing Policy, Declaration of Interests, Gifts & Hospitality Policy (for Officers) and Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) & Investigatory Powers Act (IPA) Policy. Review of the policies was reported to have taken place to ensure they were updated in line with best practice and legislation.

The Committee was referred to minor changes made to the Council’s Anti-Fraud & Corruption Policy including updating manager guidance to clarify arrangements for contacting the Police and the Insurance Team where a theft or burglary had occurred. Appendix C of the ‘Anti-Money Laundering Requirements’ policy had also been updated with additional possible indicators of money laundering identified and an updated link to relevant legislation.

The Whistleblowing Policy had been updated with minor changes including amendments to the outcome template letter, an updated Children’s safeguarding contact number and Employment Rights Act legislation reference. Minor amendments had also been made to the Seven Stage Whistleblowing Policy (Appendix 1) to clarify the process. In addition, in Section 6 of the policy ‘How Is This Policy Implemented’, the process to follow where an individual is dissatisfied with the outcome response or the process followed had been highlighted.

Some changes had been made to the Council’s Declaration of Interests, Gifts & Hospitality Policy (for Officers) including a clearer statement that the Council requires all employees to consider their specific job role, not just their Council employment and personal circumstance when deciding whether to make a declaration. Guidance had also been added on the Council giving/ receiving donations and clarification made for giving/receiving sponsorship. Additional clarification has also been made of terms used regarding officer tiers in Appendix A.

The Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) and Investigatory Powers Act (IPA) Policyhad been updated with some minor changes to include reference and links to Home Office Code of Practices for Covert Surveillance and Property interference (Aug 2018), Interception of Communications (Dec 2022) and Covert Human Intelligence Sources (Dec 2022). Links to other relevant legislation were also reported to have been added throughout the document.

The changes had been approved by the Equalities Impact Assessment Panel meeting on 9 February 2023.

RESOLVED that the Audit and Governance Committee approve the Council’s Anti-Fraud & Corruption Policy, Whistleblowing Policy, Declaration of Interests, Gifts & Hospitality Policy (for Officers) and the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) & Investigatory Powers Act (IPA) Policy for the 2023/24 financial year.

Voting: Unanimous