TWO leading councillors were summoned to court - for failing to pay their own council tax bills.

Conservative Vicki Hallam owed Christchurch Borough Council £640.68 for the financial year 2015/2016, and her colleague Andy Barfield owed £2,936.72.

Both paid up only AFTER the council took them to court. The revelation is an embarrassment given their key roles.

Cllr Hallam is the portfolio holder for ‘growth and economy’ and Cllr Barfield is the portfolio holder for ‘effective council’ with responsibility for the borough’s finances.

Cllr Hallam ran the Crooked Beam restaurant in Christchurch with her husband until it went out of business three years ago.

Both members receive £8,308 a year in allowances from the council.

Cllr Barfield, an accountant with his own firm, said the cash was owed by a tenant in one of his properties.

He said the tenant had not informed the council after moving in, as he assumed they would, and that reminders had been sent to that property preventing him from responding before the whole year’s tax was demanded.

“The very same day I became aware there was a liability order in my name I settled it,” he said. “I am pleased to say I have subsequently been completely reimbursed.”

Asked whether this oversight cast doubt on his financial management, Cllr Barfield said: “We are all human beings, occasionally there is a lack of communication, slip-ups do happen. I can absolutely assure you that it won’t ever happen again.”

He said he prided himself on being a “very, very hard-working” portfolio holder.

Cllr Hallam said: “It was one of those things, a bit of an oversight. I thought I had dealt with it, my husband thought he had dealt with it, it went to the bottom of the pile. As soon as it was highlighted it was all paid up.

“I have made my point, that’s really all I want to say.”

A Christchurch Conservative source described the situation as a disgrace and a farce “all rolled into one”.

“The fact that these two look after the financial side of the council and had to be taken to court to pay their council tax is unbelievable. It’s a joke. It smacks of the arrogance for which this council is becoming renowned.”

Two other Christchurch councillors were issued with reminders. The authority has yet to provide their names.

Christchurch council leader Ray Nottage, who appointed both Cllr Hallam and Cllr Barfield to their portfolio roles, said: “I must admit it came as a bit of a surprise when I found out about it.

“I saw each of them about this matter and I accepted their explanation which I found to be reasonable.

“I am sure they would have considered their position as part of the process but I am glad they decided to stay in their roles. They are doing a good job.”

David McIntosh, chief executive of Christchurch and East Dorset Councils, said: “Councillors are treated no differently to other residents and if there are cases of non-payment we will take action to ensure the amounts owed are repaid.”

John O’Connell, chief executive of the low-tax pressure group the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: “Council tax has risen in England by over 60 per cent in in the last two decades so local taxpayers have every right to be angry that their money is being spent pursuing elected representatives.”

In East Dorset, Cllr Julie Robinson was summoned to court for non payment of £839.45 and later barred from voting on the budget, according to a Freedom of Information request, although she claims to have owed £321 and declined to vote. She receives £4,154 in allowances.

Cllr Robinson said a disability benefit transfer delay left her out of pocket. “I had to go four weeks without money. I prioritised the mortgage, heating, food,” she said.