Hounslow Council is investigating allegations of fraud following a whistleblowing report, according to a report presented at the Audit and Governance Committee meeting on Tuesday, 4 November 2025.

The Whistleblowing Report 2025, which summarised concerns raised between 1 August 2024 and 31 July 2025, detailed three cases reported through the council's external reporting service, Safecall. Notably, the report indicated that the council has received only one whistleblowing case this year, which is unusual. This may be due to the introduction of the council's Resolution Framework, which encourages colleagues to raise issues or concerns through an internal process, potentially redirecting cases away from the whistleblowing process. However, the method for evaluating the effectiveness of the Resolution Framework was not specified in the meeting information.

One of the cases reported to Safecall, reported in July 2025, involved allegations of fraud, serious breaches of the Code of Conduct, abuse of position, misuse of council property for personal gain, and failure to declare an interest. The fraud allegations relate to a case described as: Fraud, serious breaches in Code of Conduct, including abuse of position and misuse of council property/premises for personal gain and failing to declare an interest. The case has been reported to Audit & Risk and is subject to an ongoing investigation.

Allegations from an employment perspective have been investigated and upheld, and that case is now concluded.

The other two cases reported to Safecall were:

  • October 2024: Falsification of working records, including sickness, to carry out repairs on an employee's property. This case was closed due to the employee's resignation.
  • June 2025: Alleged multiple breaches of Health and Safety legislation affecting employee and public safety, and practices violating transport and employment law. An independent investigation found no evidence of wrongdoing, and procedural recommendations have been implemented. The case was reported to the Risk & Asset Committee on 24 September 2025.

The council's Whistleblowing Policy incorporates the provisions in the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 and the Employment Rights Act 1996. It provides a process for employees to report potential wrongdoing and for these disclosures to be investigated. The council's policy is accessible on the intranet at Whistleblowing Policy.