Hillingdon (Parliament Politics Magazine) – A Hillingdon Council leader’s dismissal of external scrutiny has been labelled “not acceptable,” raising concerns over transparency and accountability.
The remark was made during a July 24 Hillingdon Council Cabinet meeting, during which Cabinet members talked about the local authority’s continuous financial struggles. Ian Edwards, the leader of the Conservative Council, remarked that “we are housekeeping ourselves” after recognizing some of its own financial difficulties.
Opposition council members and a former Labour council member, however, questioned whether it is fair to imply that inspection is unnecessary.
Cllr Stuart Mathers, Leader of Hillingdon Labour, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) that he was “extremely alarmed” by Cllr Edwards’ comments. He added:
“The leader of the council is avoiding the transparency he crows about. By not enabling external scrutiny to examine the council it raises red flags.
It is not acceptable for a council to mark its own homework. Hillingdon Council as a minimum should undertake a peer to peer review which it has evaded for a number of years.”
Despite Cllr Edwards telling our reporter months earlier that there was no chance of bankruptcy, the LDRS disclosed earlier this year that Hillingdon Council was in danger of going bankrupt.
The most recent outcome of this was the disclosure that Hillingdon Council is in dire need of Exceptional Financial Support (EFS) from the government since its funds are about to run out in a few months.
During the most recent Cabinet meeting, Cllr Edwards talked about studies from council officers that revealed years of “overspending” and “undersaving” had contributed to the current financial situation, as well as work that had found accounting irregularities going back ten years.
Cllr Edwards said:
“Turning to the main matter here, which is the outturn and month two, you are absolutely right, Cllr Goddard, these are concerning. And residents will rightly have some concern. I do wish to again emphasise the issue of the asylum pressures that we have had, historic underfunding that you’ve mentioned…
The issues have come to light through prudent activity, commissioned by ourselves and our officers, and although that doesn’t give us any great comfort having identified some issues, at least it does show that we are house keeping ourselves and are not dependent upon external review and scrutiny.”
How have Hillingdon’s oversight committees influenced local policy changes?
Conducting in-depth multi-year policy reviews on important local issues involving resident stakeholders, experts, and interest groups to improve public services.
Providing formal comments on Cabinet reports and budget proposals, influencing policy and financial decisions such as budget frameworks for 2025/26.
Exercising statutory call-in powers, which allow them to pause and review executive decisions to ensure due scrutiny. Engaging in collaborative oversight on health, safeguarding, education, and social care matters, including maintaining focus on vulnerable groups such as looked after children.