Annual whistleblowing and prescribed person report 2023-24

This report provides detail of all Whistleblowing disclosures received by NRW during the 2023/24 financial year and any associated actions or recommendations.

NRW is committed to the highest standards of openness, probity, and accountability. There is an expectation that all those who work for NRW who have serious concerns about any aspect of NRW’s work is able to come forward and voice those concerns. NRW is committed to taking whatever action is necessary to address any wrongdoing which is uncovered.

Whistleblowing reports

During the year there were 27 potential whistleblowing cases reported via the whistleblowing mechanisms. All were considered in line with NRW’s whistleblowing policies and procedures. Of these 27 reports, 2 were reviewed and handled formally as whistleblowing cases and another 2 were handled via NRW’s fraud investigation procedures, 8 related to matters outside of NRW and 15 were not considered as whistleblowing as defined by NRWs Whistleblowing Policy, so were referred back to the business for internal handling.

The following 2 whistleblowing cases were reported via NRW’s Whistleblowing procedures 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024:

NRW as a Prescribed Person for whistleblowing

NRW became a became a ‘Prescribed Person’ in 2020 following an approach from the Welsh Government (WG). The Prescribed Persons Order 2014 sets out a list of 60 organisations that any member of the public may approach to report suspected or known wrongdoing (whistleblowing). The organisations and individuals on the list have usually been designated as a prescribed person because they have an authoritative or oversight relationship with their sector, often as a regulatory body. The Order is amended each year by the UK Government to ensure that the list remains up to date.

The following 4 cases of a Prescribed Person Whistleblowing Report have been received from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024, although it is acknowledged other concerns may have been raised outside of the formal whistleblowing:

In report WB039 the whistle blowing case was undetermined and no action was taken.

Report WB056 is pending completion of the stage 1 review of allegations before determining what action to take.

Reports WB029 and WB043 were referred to the incident handling teams within NRW and handled under normal complaints processes.

None of the cases were of the magnitude or severity to require a formal whistleblowing investigation.

NRW also receives reports that could be deemed as Prescribed Person Reporting via the Wales Incident Reporting System which are handled by the regulatory and enforcement teams.