Sykes writes to council Chief Executive after members of the council failed to make council tax payments

The Leader of Oldham Council’s Liberal Democrat Opposition councillor Howard Sykes MBE has written to the Council’s Chief Executive following the recent news that several serving Oldham councillors have received legal summons after failing to make council tax payments. 

Three Oldham councillors are reported to be in breach of council tax rules.  One from Labour, one from the Failsworth Independent Party, as well as another Independent councillor. 

In his letter to the Civic Centre boss Harry Catherall, councillor Sykes said, “Section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 makes it an offence for a councillor who is in council tax arrears to vote at a meeting of the council where financial matters relating to council tax are being considered.”

The Liberal Democrat Leader has sought assurances from Mr Catherall that members of the council who were in council tax arrears took steps to exclude themselves from decisions on financial matters.  He also asks if any extra costs have been incurred as a result of late payments.

Councillor Sykes said, “The public deserve to have every confidence that their elected representatives are upholding the law.  At a time of immense financial pressure for our residents, these reports only serve to further heighten public anger and mistrust in the council.”