The Standards Committee of Hillingdon Council met on Monday, 16 February 2026, to review the authority's standards and ethics indicators for 2025 and to note a summary of Code of Conduct complaints received during the same year. Both reports were noted by the committee.

Standards and Ethics Indicators 2025

The committee considered the annual report detailing a range of standards and ethics indicators for the authority for the calendar year 2025. The report, presented by Lloyd White, Head of Democratic Services, covered Public Interest Reports, Whistle Blowing Incidents, Challenges to Procurement Decisions, Employment Tribunal and Employment Appeal Tribunal Cases, Officer Declarations of Interest in relation to Council Contracts, Member Declarations of Interest at Meetings and of Gifts and Hospitality, and Local Government Ombudsman Complaints.

The report indicated that there were no External Auditor Public Interest Reports received in 2025. However, it noted that the Council's External Auditors had issued a Section 24 report containing statutory recommendations in July 2025, which had been submitted to the Audit Committee and Full Council. There were no whistle-blowing incidents reported in 2025.

Two challenges to procurement decisions were recorded in 2025, compared to none in the previous year. One was an informal challenge relating to Roofing Phase 5, which was successfully defended. The second was a claim under a PA23 form in relation to a Highways tender, which was finalised in December 2025.

In terms of Employment Tribunal (ET) and Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) cases, three ET cases were settled in 2025, with three active cases remaining, relating to redundancy and discrimination. There were no officer declarations of interest in relation to council contracts in 2025.

The report detailed member declarations of interest made at meetings throughout 2025. A total of 16 declarations were made by various councillors, including Councillor Bennett, Councillor Davies, and Councillor Mathers, relating to matters such as living near application sites, being employed by organisations, or having family members in pension schemes. In most instances where a non-pecuniary interest was declared, the member remained in the room and participated in discussions and voting. However, in some cases, such as Councillor Bennett's declaration regarding the Dyson Drive application and Councillor Davies' declaration concerning Wilmar Close, members left the room and did not participate in the discussion or voting.

Regarding gifts and hospitality, 26 declarations were received in 2025, an increase from previous years. These included meals, event invitations, and small gifts from various organisations and individuals. Councillors such as Councillor Bianco, Councillor Edwards, and Councillor Tuckwell declared multiple instances of receiving gifts and hospitality.

Finally, the report summarised complaints received and settled by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman and the Housing Ombudsman Service. In 2025, 52 complaints were concluded, with 4 upheld and 0 partially upheld. A significant proportion, 79% (41 complaints), were not investigated by the ombudsman. The report noted that the introduction of new Complaint Handling Codes on 1 April 2024 had led to more formal complaints being registered, potentially increasing future escalations to the ombudsman.

The committee resolved to note the report.

Complaints Monitoring

The committee also considered a summary of Code of Conduct complaints received against elected members during 2025. This item was considered in Part II of the meeting, meaning it was discussed in private. Members noted the details of these complaints and received a summary of all complaints received over the past four years. The committee resolved to note this report.