Court summonses were issued to sitting councillors in both Newcastle and County Durham for failing to pay their council tax
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:00Court summons were issued to sitting councillors in both Newcastle and County Durham for failing to pay their council tax since 2022.
00:08In addition, Gateshead and Northumberland councils sent non-payment reminder letters to councillors, though none of those cases progressed to court.
00:16Despite the seriousness of this issue, all four councils have refused to name the individuals involved, citing privacy concerns.
00:23This decision comes in spite of previous rulings affirming the public's right to know when elected officials fail to pay their council tax.
00:31Sunderland City Council confirmed that fewer than five councillors have been pursued for council tax arrears across periods since 2022, but refused to reveal the exact number, names or amounts owed.
00:42These decisions have been challenged by requesting internal reviews of the Freedom of Information responses from all five councils.
00:49Meanwhile, North Cyneside and South Cyneside councils have yet to respond to the original FOI requests, more than two weeks after the legal 20 working day deadline.
01:00Councillors across the region earn annual allowances ranging from £8,620 to £17,919.
01:08They are responsible for setting council tax rates, most of which rose by the maximum of 4.99% this year, and are legally barred from voting on related matters if they are more than two months in arrears.
01:22Durham County Council defended its refusal to name individuals claiming disclosure would not significantly enhance public knowledge.
01:28However, this stance runs counter to a 2016 Upper Tribunal ruling, which found that there is a compelling legitimate interest in identifying councillors who have defaulted on council tax, especially if they remain in arrears for more than two months.
01:43Durham County Council forearm