FIVE people who work for Weymouth and Portland Borough Council were investigated last year after concerns were raised by whistleblowers.

And action was taken in three cases, a report to be presented to councillors states.

The figures have been revealed in an annual audit which will go before the borough council’s audit committee tomorrow.

The report shows that concerns were raised by whistleblowers for a number of reasons, including inappropriate use of social media, invoicing transactions, declarations of interest and other ‘employee related allegations’.

The South West Audit Partnership Ltd, which prepared the report, runs an out-of-hours voicemail service for council staff to raise any concerns they have.

Employees also receive letters every six months setting out the council’s policy on whistleblowing and how to raise allegations.

The report states: “Weymouth and Portland Borough Council is committed to the highest possible standards of openness, probity and accountability. In line with that commitment, we wish to encourage employees, and others that we deal with, who have serious concerns about any aspect of the council’s work to come forward and voice those concerns.”

Cllr Rachel Rogers, chairwoman of the audit committee, said: “I don’t think we have an expectation for how many cases of whistleblowing are investigated every year – certainly there is no target figure. However, I would be worried if there were only one or two cases of whistleblowing.

"A large number of cases may indicate a large number of concerns but it also indicates that staff are confident enough to use the whistleblowing system. Conversely, whilst a small number of cases may make it appear as if everything is working well, it can also indicate a lack of confidence in or unfamiliarity with the whistleblowing system.”

She added: “No system is perfect and we wouldn’t ever rest on our laurels. However, the appointment of an external body, the South West Audit Partnership, to investigate concerns raised by council staff about policy and practice reassures me not only that staff will feel more confident to raise any concerns they might have but also that those concerns will be fully investigated.”