Councillor defends reasons for unpaid council tax

Seventeen elected members needed reminders before paying their bills.

A Cornwall councillor taken to court for failing to pay his council tax on time has defended his actions.

Independent Councillor for Porthleven, Andrew Wallis said he was forced to choose between eating or paying his council tax bill two years ago.

Over the past two years, 17 elected members needed reminders before paying their bills and one was threatened with court action.

In his personal blog Mr Wallis admits that he had "made a mistake".

Information made public after a Freedom of Information request was submitted by the Falmouth Packet, revealed that over the past two years 14 members also had a second reminder sent to them.

Mr Wallis and Bodmin Councillor Ann Kerridge are the only councillors to have come forward and admitted failing to pay.

Speaking on BBC Radio Cornwall, Mr Wallis said: "Two years ago I failed to pay my council tax on time which led to court action.

"While I cannot change what happened, I would have paid if I could have.

"Like many people in Cornwall I was faced with the problem of juggling mounting bills with a limited income and at that time I chose to pay for essentials such as rent, electricity and food rather than pay my council tax bill."

The Information Commission is now considering whether the council should identify those responsible for wasting officer time in working to recover more than £5,000 in unpaid taxes.

The council has so far claimed it is obligated under the Data Protection Act not to disclose the names.