SEVEN Ceredigion county councillors had to be sent council tax arrears reminders on 16 occasions in the last four years, with one Aberystwyth councillor receiving eight on his own, the Cambrian News can reveal.

Figures obtained under the Freedom of Information Act show that the seven councillors were sent council tax arrears notices between 2012 and 2016, with one of these later issued with a court summons.

Of these seven, Aberystwyth Rheidol ward councillor Aled Davies was sent two reminders for two different properties for each of the four years, although these were later paid in full.

The figures show that between 2012 and 2013, Cllr Aled Davies (£202), Cllr Hag Harris (£78), Cllr Sarah Gillian Hopley (£90), Cllr Dafydd Wyn Edwards (£168.66), Cllr Lorrae Jones-Southgate (£319.60) and Cllr Maldwyn Lewis (£270.26) were issued with council tax payment reminders.

For the financial years 2013/14 and 2014/15, Cllr Davies, who is an Independent, was issued with a total of four reminders for unpaid tax totalling £217, and Cllr David Rhodri Wyn Evans, who represents Llangeitho as an Independent, was issued with a total of two reminders for unpaid tax totalling £190.

In the 2015/16 financial year, Cllr Davies was again sent two reminders to pay a total of £224 council tax, and Cllr Harris was sent one reminder to pay £99 in council tax.

Only one councillor, Cllr Evans in the financial year 2014/15, was issued with a court summons for unpaid council tax, and was required to pay the full year’s tax bill of £722 and not just the initial bill of £97.

Speaking to the Cambrian News, Cllr Evans, explained that the reminder notice was sent to him at a traumatic time for his family and the council tax issue will never arise again because he has set up a direct debit.

Lampeter Labour councillor Hag Harris said he likes to pay in person at the library in Lampeter to allow him to speak to the staff and service users.

Cllr Hopley, the Independent member for New Quay, stated she had knee surgery at the time she was issued with the notice.

Independent Penparcau councillor Jones-Southgate and Independent Troedyraur councillor Lewis both said they were moving house at the time when the reminder notices had to be sent.

Cllr Davies and Cllr Edwards, the Independent member for Llansantffraid, were asked to comment but did not respond.

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