Hillingdon Council has appointed Mr. Andy Goodwin as the interim Section 151 Officer and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), effective until a permanent Corporate Director of Finance is hired. The previous interim S151 Officer's departure created the vacancy. The council aims to fill the permanent position and the Appointments Committee selected a candidate on July 1, 2025. The timeline for filling the position depends on the confirmation of references and the commencement of employment of the selected candidate.

The decision was made at the Council meeting on Thursday, 10 July 2025. According to the Report of the Head of Democratic Services, this appointment is crucial for ensuring the proper administration of the council's financial affairs.

The Section 151 Officer, also known as the CFO, is responsible for the proper administration of the council's financial affairs. According to the meeting information, Section 151 of the Local Government Act 1972 requires local authorities to make arrangements for the proper administration of their financial affairs and appoint a S151 Officer... whose roles and responsibilities are defined in the Constitution. The CFO must lead on a local authority's financial functions and ensure they are fit for purpose. The CFO must be professionally qualified and suitably experienced.

The report stated that the Section 151 Officer, along with the Monitoring Officer and Head of Paid Service, form the Council's Statutory Officer functions. These roles are key to ensuring lawfulness, fairness, probity and general good governance that supports the Council in achieving its aims. It is important that they work effectively together yet maintain appropriate independence and that the roles are undertaken by adequately skilled and experienced staff supported by appropriate resources.

Councillors discussed the appointment, with some expressing concern over the interim nature of the role. Some councillors expressed concern that the interim nature of the Section 151 Officer appointment did not provide the council with enough stability. Those speaking against the motion noted that this was a further interim appointment to the statutory role of Section 151 and Chief Financial Officer at the London Borough of Hillingdon and a permanent appointment needed to be made to provide the Council with some stability. Others noted that action was being taken to appoint to the position on a permanent basis and that the interim nature of previous appointments had not contributed to the Council's current financial position. Councillor Edwards moved, and Councillor Bianco seconded, the recommendation contained in the report.

The Council Agenda also included discussions on a range of other topics, including motions regarding Heathrow Airport, green waste collection charges, and the Rural Activities Garden Centre. Questions were also raised by members of the public and councillors regarding various council services and initiatives.

Motions that were discussed:

  • Heathrow Airport: Councillor Peter Curling proposed a motion reaffirming the council's opposition to a third runway at Heathrow Airport, citing the detrimental impact on the environment and the health and well-being of residents.
  • Green Waste Collection Charges: Councillor Stuart Mathers proposed a motion regarding the cabinet's decision to introduce an initial £70 subscription charge for green waste collection, reversing a previous commitment to free weekly bin collections. The motion called for the cabinet to refer the implementation of these charges to the relevant select committee for scrutiny.
  • Rural Activities Garden Centre (RAGC): Councillor Sital Punja proposed a motion to reconsider the cabinet's decision to close the retail operations of the Rural Activities Garden Centre (RAGC). The motion cited failures in the decision-making process, including inaccurate financial analysis, lack of exploration of alternative providers, and inadequate assessment of new provision for gardeners with social care packages.

Specific questions raised by members of the public and councillors regarding council services and initiatives include:

Public Questions:

  • Brian Lawrence asked about the cancellation of Hillingdon in Bloom & Autumn Show.
  • Jash Patel asked the council to consider charging an entrance fee for visitors from outside the borough to Ruislip Lido.
  • Andrea Scrivens and John Scrivens asked questions about the closure of the Rural Activities Garden Centre, including whether social services had the capacity to carry out assessments for those who required them, and whether the council had examined the option of a Community Asset Transfer to transfer management of RAGC to Friends of RAGC or another community organisation.
  • Isabel Stevenson asked how the open aspect of the Civic Centre gardens allocated as the alternative provision to RAGC could be made safe for her son.
  • Sarah Green asked about the remediation of the New Years Green landfill site and the results of the Monitored Natural Attenuation.
  • Mark Pearman Scrivens asked why the council had been purposely managing the decline of the RAGC site.

Member Questions:

  • Councillor Nick Denys asked for an update on the Financial Improvement Programme.
  • Councillor Jan Sweeting asked why Hillingdon's Annual Education Standard's Report 2023/24 was not considered by the cabinet.
  • Councillor Becky Haggar OBE asked what effect the cabinet decision to close the retail operation of the Rural Activities Garden Centre was likely to have on the social care provision of horticultural therapy.
  • Councillor Peter Smallwood OBE asked for confirmation that Hillingdon Council was not levying parking charges on those visiting Breakspear Crematorium to pay their respects.
  • Councillor Keith Burrows asked whether the decision to relocate Uxbridge Library had been successful.
  • Councillor Tony Burles asked why the cabinet member did not seek alternative providers for the Rural Activities Garden Centre.
  • Councillor Kaushik Banerjee asked for an update on the rollout of the garden waste subscription scheme.
  • Councillor Adam Bennett asked for further updates on the Adult Social Care service following the CQC inspection.
  • Councillor Sital Punja asked why it had taken a year to produce a report considering the sufficiency of evidence required to extend licensing obligations to all properties with 3 bedrooms housing multiple unrelated occupants.
  • Councillor Gursharan Mand asked about the absence and delays of budget monitoring reports and financial reports to cabinet and select committee meetings.