Two borough councillors from Gedling have received summonses over unpaid council tax bills.
Data revealed by the Freedom of Information Act shows that Labour councillors Jim Creamer and Roxanne Ellis both received summonses.
Councillor Creamer represents the Carlton Hill ward, and in 2017/18 received a court summons for £1,234.16, which is now settled in full.
Councillor Ellis represents the Ernehale ward. Information released by Labour-controlled Gedling Borough Council shows she received court summons in two consecutive years.
In 2017/18, she received a summons for £575, and in 2018/19 she received one for £706.
Both are now settled in full, and neither councillor has an outstanding balance.
Councillor Creamer, who is also a Labour county councillor for Carlton West, said: “I was as shocked as anybody else, because I still maintain I didn’t get a warning letter saying I was in arrears.
“I can’t deny I was in arrears, it was a mistake and it was in an election period, I normally pay in advance.
“People make mistakes. I didn’t deliberately do it. People who do it deliberately, I’ve got no time for, but it was a matter of months during an election. I completely lost track of time.
Councillor Roxanne Ellis said she was unemployed at the time, and that it was an ‘oversight’ that the bills didn’t get paid.
She also said she has been unemployed on and off since becoming a councillor, because in her experience companies were reluctant to hire councillors.
A spokesman for Gedling Borough Council said: “Everyone is subject to the same rules if they fail to pay their council tax on time.
“In this case, both councillors were advised of non-payment and the arrears were cleared, which also covered any costs incurred by the council.”
For a Band D property in Gedling, council tax is currently between £1938.26 and £2,047.58, depending on where in the borough you live.
For a Band A property it is between £1,292.17 and £1,365.05
The Freedom of Information request showed no other current councillors on Gedling Borough Council received a summons in the tax years 2017/18 and 2018/19.Categories: Council taxLocations:Authorities: Nottinghamshire County CouncilLDRS FAQsCopyright © 2019 BBCSUPPORT
