COUNCILLORS across the county have been accused of ‘undermining principles’ after failing to pay their council tax on time, the Lancashire Telegraph can reveal.

Authority figures in Blackburn with Darwen, Hyndburn, Rossendale and Burnley have been slammed for not paying their council tax, with some individuals summonsed to court for legal proceedings to take place against them to enable the council to recoup the unpaid funds.

Last year, Blackburn Cllr Hussain Akhtar was made the subject of a liability order – meaning magistrates gave the council authority to take enforcement action upon him in order to pay the arrears he had built up through missed payments. He had been sent two reminder letters before legal action was taken.

Also in Blackburn with Darwen, leader of the Conservative party John Slater was issued a reminder, as was the Bastwell and Daisyfield ward Cllr, Shaukat Hussain.

Explaining why he had been behind on his payments, former mayor of Blackburn with Darwen Cllr Hussain said: “When this oversight took place, my son was in charge of paying the council tax bill. This was a regretful mistake and I can now confirm that I am back in charge of ensuring these bills and payments are made. I take my responsibilities as a councillor very seriously and it needs to be said, it is very important to pay your council tax.”

Cllr Slater said he had received one reminder to pay his council tax in the past and made the transaction immediately. He said: “At the time my wife was in hospital and paying the council tax was the last thing on my mind. I pay in the post office and as soon as I received the reminder I paid the bill.”

Hyndburn Cllr Eamonn Higgins has been sent reminders to pay his council tax for the past three consecutive years, with Labour Cllr Jenny Molineux also failing to pay before a reminder was sent out in 2017/18.

Gareth Molineux, who was a councillor at the time the reminder letter was sent out, said he was responsible for paying the council tax at the time and the only reason he hadn't was because he was in dispute with the authority after moving house.

Mr Molineux said he and Cllr Molineux had been living in a band G property, which had been paid to the end of the month, but had moved to a band D property. While chasing the money he said the council owed him for overpayment on the band G property, Mr Molineux did not pay the council tax on the band D property. However after being sent the reminder letter he paid the council tax for the band D property.

Mr Molineux added: "We have not been in arrears with our council tax since then."

Conservative Cllr Josh Allen was also sent a reminder in 2018/19.

Leader of the Hyndburn Borough Council Miles Parkinson said: “Of course the council expects its councillors to pay tax on time just like everybody else but sometimes personal circumstances can get in the way.

“Councillors understand that if they don’t pay their council tax, they will be sanctioned and not allowed to participate in certain debates.

“Ultimately, people need to understand that the council are here to help. If you find yourself in any difficulties and can’t make a payment, get in touch with the relevant council staff who can help you resolve the issue.”

In Burnley, 10 councillors have been issued with reminders over the past four years, while two, Cllrs Mohammed Ishtiaq and Antony Martin were summonsed. A liability order was issued in the case of Cllr Ishtiaq to enable the council to recoup the unpaid funds.

Since 2015/16 in Rossendale, four Conservative councillors have either received reminders or have been summonsed to court following non-payments.

Cllr Karl Kempson received a court summons after receiving two reminders and a final notice. Cllr Anne Cheetham paid her bill after one reminder, as did Cllrs David Stansfield and Val Roberts.

Leader of Rossendale’s Conservative Party, Peter Steen, said he would be looking into why members of his party had fallen behind on their payments.

He said: “Everybody is required to pay their council tax – it is a necessity and if it was not paid the systems would grind to a halt.

“Councillors are in an elected position and need to be answerable to their actions. I will be speaking to them and the council to find out the full extent of this issue.”

Pendle Council and the Ribble Valley Council failed to provide results to the request, despite being asked by Newsquest’s Data Unit team.

Nationally, the figures show that from 225 authorities, more than 320 councillors were summonsed to court for non-payment of council tax, with several subsequently barred from voting on monetary matters.

In response to the findings, the Minister for Local Government – MP Luke Hall – urged councillors to ensure they inspired trust by paying their bills on time and doing their bit to pay for local services.

He said: “Locally elected representatives, at all levels, should seek to inspire confidence and have the trust of the people who elect them.”

Blackburn with Darwen growth and development boss Phil Riley said he was ‘disappointed’ that councillors had been neglecting their council tax.

He said: “It is disappointing – I don’t know the individual circumstances or reasons why councillors are falling into arrears but as a general principle councillors should be setting a good example.

“It is not a great reflection on the council, and it undermines the principles of councillors being representatives of the community."