A motion to update Hillingdon Council's Code of Conduct for members was defeated by 30 votes to 19 at a full council meeting on Thursday, 24 September 2026.
The motion, proposed by Councillor Sital Punja, aimed to introduce clearer provisions regarding bullying, harassment, discrimination, and conduct on social media, arguing that the current code, adopted in 2012, was outdated and failing to address modern issues.
Councillor Punja stated that the existing code lacked explicit provisions for issues such as bullying and racism, making it difficult to address complaints effectively. She highlighted that the Local Government Association's model code of conduct, which Hillingdon's code has not been reviewed against for over six years, provides more detailed guidance on these matters. The LGA Model Code explicitly defines bullying as physical, verbal and non-verbal conduct, but does not need to be related to protected characteristics
and applies to all forms of communication and interaction, including electronic and social media communication, post statements and comments.
Hillingdon's current code lacks this specificity.
Furthermore, the LGA Model Code directly addresses the Equalities Act 2010's duty to eliminate discrimination, harassment, and victimisation with a standalone clause stating, I promote equality and do not discriminate unlawfully against any person.
It defines direct discrimination, indirect discrimination, harassment on the grounds of a protected characteristic, and victimisation. Hillingdon's code neglects this responsibility.
Councillor Punja highlighted that there have been real complaints relating to bullying, racism, sexism and conduct on social media, including AI-generated images.
However, these complaints are not met with a robust code of conduct and fall through the gaps left by the current code of conduct.
She argued that not updating the code would mean that real complaints from real councillors go nowhere.
She believes delay is a choice not to act
and that the current code desperately needs updating.
Councillor Tony Gill, Chief Whip (Labour), stated that the Labour Group supports the motion, characterising the call for an update as about improving standards in public life and they should be brought forward now rather than being left for a model constitution, model rules that will come out at a later date.
Councillor Kamal Preet Kaur, a teacher, believes the same standards should be applied in this council with members' code of conduct has been updated for the last 14 years.
She emphasised that safeguarding and protection of councillors regardless of political party must be one of our priorities. There should be zero tolerance for racism, sexist, bullying, harassment and discrimination of any form.
She also noted that Lawyers in local government have advised counsel of exactly the same thing.
Councillor Gill further argued that the current code doesn't
protect councillors from bullying, abuse, or online conduct, as it says nothing about racism, nothing about sexism, nothing about conduct online.
She highlighted that Complaints get pushed into clause 4.8, a clause so vague it sets no standards at all. So real complaints from real councillors go nowhere.
She also pointed out that the council's own lawyers rated the code low on behaviour and conduct
and that the first recommendation was to review it against the LGA code, which is what the motion asks for. She urged members to support the motion as it is about how we treat each other.
However, Councillor Douglas Mills, speaking against the motion, argued that it was not necessary to update the code at this time, as the government had committed to introducing a mandatory national code of conduct. Councillor Punja mentioned that the government is developing a mandatory national code of conduct, and adopting the LGA model code now would be proactive, as the national code could be another 18-month wait.
Councillor Richard Mills, speaking as Vice-Chair of the Standards Committee, expressed concern that imposing an arbitrary two-month deadline, risk prioritizing speed over a fair and thorough process.
He stated that standard cases vary significantly in complexity. Some can be resolved quickly, others require detailed investigation, legal advice, consultation with independent persons and carefully consider the evidence before them.
He believes that Fairness and due process must remain our priority.
Councillor Punja stated that Hillingdon's Code of Conduct was adopted in 2012 and Best practice across the sector is to review the code every two years.
She noted that the Council is now in more than six review cycles overdue.
The motion she proposed asked the Monitoring Officer to report to the Standards Committee on how Hillingdon's Code of Conduct compares to the LGA Model Code
and to ask that the report be brought to the Standards Committee within two months, setting out options for Full Council to adopt an updated Code of Conduct, whether it is the LGA Model Code in full or with local amendments.
The LGA report, which reviewed Hillingdon's code, found it to be legally compliant, with strong coverage of disclosable pecuniary interest, but low on behaviour and conduct expectations.
The report's first recommendation was to adopt the LGA model code or review Hillingdon's code against the LGA's recommendations, including balancing legal content with behavioural content and reconsidering when the code applies, potentially extending it to online communication and social media.
Agenda frontsheet 24th Sep 2026 19:30 Council Public reports pack 24th Sep 2026 19:30 Council Minutes of Previous Meeting