• 7th October 2012 – I sent request to Edinburgh Council Leader to set up whistle-blower hotline for Council staff - he said he would look into it and get back to me when he had any progress to report.
• 6th Dec – I submitted draft Unison motion calling for hotline which reports to elected members.
• 7th January 2013 – I lodged a Petition to Edinburgh’s Petitions Committee seeking the same, entitled “ A Safer Way to Report Edinburgh Council Mismanagement”
• 18th April – Committee asked me to present my Petition, because it had received more than 500 signatures. They recommended the Council Corporate Management Team (CMT) evaluate the proposal.
• 11th June – My Petition was deemed inappropriate by CMT, who submitted their own proposal to Council’s Policy & Strategy Committee for a helpline instead. Committee accepted my claim that the legality of the new policy required further consideration; matter is now remitted to 29th August.
Other actions
• 21st Feb – I proposed same whistleblowing system to Jo Swinson MP, Employment Minister, on account of her on-going review of the 1998 Public Interest Disclosure Act. The Minister indicated proposal could be considered in summer 2013’s call for evidence.
• 14th June- I approached Derek Mackay MSP, Minister for Local Government, with request that guidance to Councillors on getting involved with operational matters be reviewed. I await a reply.
• I have also lobbied Gavin Brown MSP, Kezia Dugdale MSP, Alison Johnstone MSP, Sarah Boyack MSP, Marco Biaggi MSP, and Margo McDonald MSP; Mike Crockart MP, Sheila Gilmore MP and Ian Murray MP (in his role as shadow minister for Employee Relations). Thus far, Alison Johnstone, Gavin Brown and Ian Murray have been supportive.