Concerns raised over number of whistleblowing cases at Glasgow City Council upheld
Concerns over the high levels of whistleblowing cases being investigated by Glasgow City Council have been raised by a local councillor.
A report presented to members of the finance and audit scrutiny committee revealed that during the first six months of 2024/35 there were 119 whistleblowing referrals logged, compared with 129 to the same period in 2023/24.
Complaints made included theft/embezzlement, corruption/abuse of power and possible tenancy fraud. The report highlighted how there were 30 complaints made against staff and services in 2024/25 compared to just over 20 in the previous year.
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During the most recent scrutiny meeting Labour councillor Jill Brown raised concerns about the number of complaints made which are being upheld.
Councillor Jill Brown said: “When it comes to whistle blowing, there are still 30% of referrals which are leading to a suggestion that an issue has been appropriately identified.
“That does seem like a high level. What would be the target level that you would expect if everything was operating as appropriate?”
A council officer responded: “In terms of the whistleblowing the unfounded rate is historically lower than that. If anything the number of founded whistleblowing allegations compared to unfounded has shifted a wee bit.
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“I am always challenging myself to see if we are making the best use of resources investigating 45 unfounded whistleblowing allegations as some of these can be quite time consuming but I would agree that there is a relatively large number in there that show it is worthwhile continuing the approach that we have.”