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.

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.

“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.”