Concerns have been raised about the transparency of a West London council which paid over £1 million to an accounting firm linked to one of its own Cabinet members.
The council had made just one payment to the firm in five years amounting to £70,000, however the payments increased in frequency and amount after the councillor joined the Cabinet.
In the three years since Cllr Martin Goddard joined the Cabinet, Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) analysis has found that the Conservative-led Hillingdon Council has paid accounting firm Grant Thornton 19 times.
The total amount paid following the councillor’s ascension to the administration’s key decision-making body is £982,000 – something which has raised eyebrows among Labour opposition councillors.
Councillor Goddard, Cabinet Member for Finance and Transformation, was appointed to the role in 2021, and elected as a councillor for Ickenham & South Harefield in 2018. Prior to his election, the council finance chief worked for 21 years – until 2015 – as a partner at the firm in question.
There are no indications that Cllr Goddard had declared his past employment as an interest. Councillors are not duly required to declare past employment unless there is a risk of a conflict of interest.
Advice published by the trade union Unison states: “Cabinet members have individual areas of responsibility (portfolios). Certain executive decisions can be made by the individual Cabinet member where they relate to their area of responsibility.”
However, Local Government Association Model Code suggests councillors must not take part in any discussion or voting at meetings relating to the financial interest of a close associate. It also states when a matter relates to that of an associate, it must be disclosed.
Most meetings concerning the tendering of contracts are held behind closed doors, meaning the press and the public cannot access documents or decisions made. One reason for this is to protect commercially sensitive information – however, this means it is unclear whether Cllr Goddard, as the Cabinet Member for Finance, was present or declared an interest when contracts were awarded to Grant Thornton.
The LDRS asked Hillingdon Council whether Cllr Goddard was involved in any decision making or in tendering contracts with the firm at which he was a partner.
Hillingdon Council said: “Decisions taken in relation to Grant Thornton are a matter of public record taken by Cabinet members in line with the council’s constitution. As you stated, Cllr Goddard was not required to declare his former employment.”
There is no suggestion of wrongdoing at this time, however Opposition Leader Cllr Stuart Mathers described the findings as “concerning”. He said: “This raises a lot of questions, which the Cabinet need to answer.
“The Section 25 report [into Hillingdon’s precarious finances] highlighted issues around the accuracy of council finances. I’m concerned about the lack of budget reports going to Cabinet and committees, the changing of spending decision thresholds and the lack of transparency when the council’s financial processes and assumptions have been called into question. The residents of this borough deserve better.”
The largest payment made to the accounting firm was in August 2022 – a total of £275,000 – listed as ‘consultancy fees’.
The LDRS asked Hillingdon Council to explain the high individual payment for consultancy fees. While it’s a different area of expertise, the consultancy fees associated with the Beck Theatre were £30,000.
We also asked the reason for the sudden increase in payments to Grant Thornton post-2022.
Hillingdon Council said: “The use of Grant Thornton’s expertise is not an arrangement unique to Hillingdon with many other local authorities both in London, and across the country, also using the company’s services owing to their expertise in local government performance, efficiency and finance.
“The process used by the council to enter into contracts with Grant Thornton has, at all times, been carried out in accordance with its procurement standing orders as set out in its constitution, and in compliance with regulations set out in law.
“In ensuring fairness, transparency and value for money, contracts are also advertised publicly in adherence to guidelines and when awarding these the council seeks to ensure the best value is achieved in our transactions with third parties.
“Payments to Grant Thornton reflect the services provided and increases can be attributed to a combination of strategic, operational, and compliance-driven factors, particularly in areas where continuity and specialist knowledge are critical. For high-value contracts, officers make recommendations to Cabinet members who are involved in approving the award or business case.
“However, day-to-day payments—especially those made under existing contracts or frameworks—are usually approved by officers with the appropriate delegated authority.
“Regular updates on the council’s financial position are provided at Cabinet for members and residents, and this information is publicly available.”
In February 2025, the LDRS revealed that Hillingdon Council was at risk of bankruptcy. A report put together by the council’s then-Chief Financial Officer flagged concerns about “financial transparency” – something which Council Leader Ian Edwards admitted to when he told the LDRS: “We need to be more transparent.”
In June 2025, an audit of the financial position of Hillingdon Council was unable to provide any assurance over the internal risk, control or management of the council’s finances.
Steven Reed, an external auditor from Ernest Young, said: “Rarely in my career have I seen an internal audit with no assurance, notwithstanding the improvements that officers have talked about in the future, it is a serious and significant matter.”
Grant Thornton declined to comment.
Philip is a Local Democracy Reporter covering Ealing, Hillingdon and Hounslow, with a focus on council decisions, housing, planning, licensing and community stories across west London.
