HUNDREDS of councillors were issued with demands for payment after failing to pay their council tax on time, a Newsquest Data Investigation has revealed.

Councillors are trusted to spend millions of pounds of public money every year – yet hundreds of them have had to be reminded to pay their own council tax bills, an investigation has found.

A total of 225 local authorities across the UK were asked how many council tax reminders were sent to late-paying elected councillors between 2015 and 2018.

Figures unearthed by Newsquest’s Data Investigations Unit show that seven councillors in Flintshire were sent reminders within the requested period.

A single reminder had been issued to Cllr David Cox, Cllr Patrick Heesom and Cllr Rita Johnson. Both Cllr Andy Dunbobbin and Cllr Martin White received two reminders.

Gareth Owens, chief officer of governance, said: “The Council is officially recognised as having the highest Council Tax collection rate across Wales and everyone is subject to the same rules if they fail to pay their council tax on time.

"But there are many reasons why residents, including councillors, sometimes fall behind with council tax payments such as being in hospital, on holiday or changing a bank account.

"The Council issues around 12,000 reminders each year and the majority of reminders result in the account being brought swiftly back up to date.

"In Flintshire all county councillors are up to date with their payments for 2019/20.”

Data disclosed by Wrexham Council revealed that four reminders were issued to councillors in the area, however, these individuals were not named when the information was disclosed.

A Wrexham Council spokesman said: “Wrexham Council issues thousands of reminder notices each month. Within the dates stated, four reminders were issued to councillors and the requested amounts were promptly paid and did not require any further action.”

A spokesman for the Local Government Association said: “Local authorities have a responsibility to all taxpayers to ensure that council tax is collected. Town halls pursuing councillors for non-payment demonstrates nobody is above the law.

“Many councils also act early when councillors get into arrears by deducting money from their allowances.”