Councillor found to owe £4k in unpaid council tax

Tom Ormerod was elected to the seat in May 2023

A councillor in Lancashire has been found to owe almost £4,000 in council tax, meaning he is now unable to vote on the authority's budget for this year as a result.

Conservative Tom Ormerod who represents Vivary Bridge ward, owes £3,835 in total from the past three years, Pendle Borough Council confirmed.

Liberal Democrat group leader David Whipp has called for his immediate resignation, adding: "This is a scandal."

The BBC has contacted Mr Ormerod and the Conservatives for a comment.

Mr Ormerod was elected to the seat in May 2023 and has attended two committee meetings and one full council meeting since December 2023.

'Residents want answers'

If a councillor fails to attend meetings for six months, unless this had been approved by the council, they automatically cease to be a councillor.

Mr Whipp said: "This is a scandal. Councillor Ormerod has only attended two meetings in the past 14 months, the bare minimum to avoid disqualification for non-attendance.

"Residents rightly want answers as to why this situation has been allowed for three years."

The council's director of resources Karen Spencer said: "Section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 makes it an offence for a councillor in council tax arrears of at least two months to vote at a council meeting where financial matters relating to council tax are being considered."