A COUNCILLOR says “no-one is above the law” – including himself - after several local government figures failed to pay their council tax on time.

According to a report collated by Newsquest’s Data Investigations Unit, between 2015-2018 six Tendring and Colchester councillors were late with council tax payments.

Over the three year period more than £3,500 in council tax payments were either paid late or not submitted at all in some cases, resulting in court summons having to be issued.

Peter Cawthron, ward councillor for Coppins in Clacton, was slapped with a “liability order” on four separate occasions after failing to pay demands totalling more than £400.

The Ukip representative was contacted for comment but failed to respond before going to print.

But back in 2016, Mr Cawthron put his missed payment down to the passing of his father in 2015, after initially claiming the story was not newsworthy.

Colchester ward councillor for Berechurch, Dave Harris, forgot to pay his council tax on time on five occasions between 2015-2018, totalling £697.

On one of the occasions Mr Harris says he missed his payment because he was away on holiday but stressed he paid it as soon as he returned.

He has also called on residents and councillors to not feel embarrassed to seek help if they are struggling to pay their bills.

He said: “I was on a cruise holiday for 20 days but as soon as I got back I paid immediately. I was seven days late, but they got their money.

“No-one is above the law and like everyone else we should be toeing the line.

“If people are having problems with bills, don’t be reluctant to ask for help. I have seen too many people get depressed through struggling with bills.”

In Tendring, St Bartholomew’s ward councillor Kanagasundaram King (Holland-on-Sea and Eastcliff Matters), was late in paying amounts of just under £2,000 over two years and received one court summons.

Ward councillor for Old Heath and The Hythe in Colchester, Lee Scordis was sent a reminder for £139.03.

He said he was unaware of the late payment and said it could have been when he moved to a new house. Mr Scordis said: “From what I can gather that was when I moved house so I must have cancelled my direct debit on my old flat, where I paid the bills, and then set up direct debit for my new address.

“I never received a letter about being in arrears so it may have been an administrative error from my move.”

Tendring’s Burrsville ward councillor Mick Skeels also features, although his late bill was only £50.

Burrsville councillor Chris Amos was late six times, totalling £621.91.

He said: “I have never missed a payment and this keeps being misreported – I am getting pretty sick of it because I am not guilty.

“Sometimes I am late paying but only by a day or two. We all live busy lives and we don’t always get it in on time, it is just petty.

“There is nothing special about us councillors, but everyone should pay their council tax on time but there are probably residents of mine who occasionally pay late.

"Some people can't help being a bit late – life is hard is sometimes for people - that is life.”