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Cornwall councillor ordered to pay council tax Cornwall councillor Alex Folkes got court order to pay tax
(about 6 hours later)
A prominent member of Cornwall Council did not pay council tax until magistrates ordered him to hand over nearly £800, BBC Cornwall has learned. A senior Cornwall councillor did not pay council tax until magistrates ordered him to hand over nearly £800, BBC Cornwall has learned.
In September 2010, Launceston councillor and deputy Liberal Democrat group leader Alex Folkes was made the subject of a liability order.In September 2010, Launceston councillor and deputy Liberal Democrat group leader Alex Folkes was made the subject of a liability order.
Mr Folkes said he had could not pay because of hardship and apologised.
Last August, Cornwall Council said a total of 17 councillors were sent reminders about unpaid council tax.
On four other occasions the council had to go to court to force other councillors to make payments.
Councillor Folkes, who remains at the council, did not pay council tax between March and September 2010, documents show.
He was sent reminders in March, April and May 2010 before being issued with a liability order in September that year.
Magistrates in Bodmin ordered him to pay £793.62, including costs.Magistrates in Bodmin ordered him to pay £793.62, including costs.
Mr Folkes said he had not prioritised payments and apologised, adding he would "remain up to date". He said he did not pay purely out of hardship, but acknowledged that his actions were "completely wrong".
'Wrong of me'
Councillor Folkes did not pay council tax between March and September 2010.
He was sent reminders in March, April and May 2010 before being issued with a liability order the following September.
He said his actions were "completely wrong".
He said: "It was wrong of me. I didn't pay my council tax. I didn't prioritise it.He said: "It was wrong of me. I didn't pay my council tax. I didn't prioritise it.
"I apologise to the people of Launceston and Cornwall that I've let them down, but I'm now up to date, and I intend to remain up to date.""I apologise to the people of Launceston and Cornwall that I've let them down, but I'm now up to date, and I intend to remain up to date."
Last August, Cornwall Council said there were 17 members out of the 123-strong Conservative-Independent run unitary authority who had to be sent reminders before they paid their council tax. He said he did not intend to resign over the issue.
On four occasions the council had to go to court to force them to pay. Last August, Cornwall Council said there were 17 members out of the 123-strong Conservative-Independent run unitary authority were sent council tax reminders.
The council has not named any of them, citing data protection laws. The council has not named any of them, citing data protection laws. It has also not commented on how long it took for Mr Folkes' court case to be made public.