THE two councillors who were summonsed to court for not paying their council tax have spoken to the Bury Times about their error.

Labour Cllr for Radcliffe West, Rachel Skillen, and Conservative Cllr for Elton, Michael Hankey, who help determine council tax rates, both fell behind on their payments in the 2015/16 tax year to such an extent that Bury Council issued court proceedings against them.

Both elected members failed to turn up at their respected Bury Magistrates Court hearings — though they were not obliged to attend — and liability orders were obtained, giving bailiffs the authority to get the money from the pair.

In each case, the councillors paid their council tax for the year within a few months of the court cases.

They have both apologised for not leading by example.

Cllr Michael Hankey, of Manchester Road, Bury, became a councillor in 2006 and represents Elton. He was re-elected in May 2015.

A Conservative, he is on the council's overview and scrutiny committee and the corporate parenting board and represents the council on Bury Metro Arts Association Executive.

Cllr Hankey said: "I have been paying council tax for many, many years and have never had a problem like this before.

"In the six months leading up to the 2015/16 council year, I had encountered employment problems, which affected my finances.

"I was paying my council tax by Direct Debit and my first payment of that council year was taken as normal.

"However, I did not realise that the second payment, for May, and the third, for June, had not been taken. I took my eye off the ball and I am sorry.

"Nor did I realise that you could be summonsed to court if you failed to make two payments.

"While that was going on, I was dealing with a family bereavement and financial matters were not my priority as a result. It was a very tough time.

"I realised what was happening in June or July, when the court summons arrived.

"I did not attend court, but there was no obligation to do so.

"When the liability order was put in place, I contacted the council and was able to pay off my council tax for the year in full by July.

"The problem arose due to a lack of funds and my failure to spot it. I hold my hands up, though I resolved the matter quickly.

"Had I known about the problem before the court summons, I would have sought help from the council.

"I understand that some might think that I should told people about this earlier and that is criticism I am prepared to accept.

"My council tax payments for the current tax year are up to date.

"What this does show is how efficient the council's revenues department is and that the same enforcement rules are applied to everyone."

Cllr Rachel Skillen, of Labour, became a councillor in May 2015 when she gained 2,164 votes in Radcliffe West.

The 28 year old, of Higher Dean Lane, Radcliffe, is a member of the health scrutiny committee, the planning control committee and Bury Council's representative on Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority.

Cllr Skillen said: "I moved to Radcliffe in November 2014 and began paying council tax in Bury.

"At that time I paid monthly by Direct Debit and there was no problem with the payments.

"I had two bank accounts, one of which was in arrears due to financial struggles.

"However, when I came to draw money out, I discovered that the bank had frozen my accounts and I was unable to get hold of any money.

"Not realising the extent of this, I gave instructions to the council to have my allowance as a councillor paid into the current account, believing this issue would be resolved.

"This not only affected my allowance, but also payments from my day job as an admin clerk.

"To make matters worse, my partner's job came to an end.

"The bank was not helpful and moved with no urgency at all.

"The combination of moving house, having to pay for all the household expenses, my partner being unemployed, having two young step children, becoming a councillor, and maintaining my day job in addition to not being able to get hold of my money, meant that I was spending a great deal of time trying to get things back on track.

"I failed to notice the passage of time and was not aware of the effect this would have on my position as a councillor.

"It was a shock, therefore, when I was suddenly faced with the threat of a court appearance, the threat of the bailiffs being involved and the demand for the full amount of the council tax to be paid.

"I did not attend court as I simply could not pay.

"After court action I then took steps to face the situation.

"By this time, although the bank had not resolved the issue, I had my allowance and wages from my day job put into a relative's account so I became able to pay the full year's council tax plus all additional charges and my financial arrangements are now back on an even keel.

"Full payment was made by the end of last October, five months before the end of the financial year.

"I have been punished by having to pay almost £800 in bailiff's fees on top of the original council tax payment.

"I realise as a councillor I have a responsibility to my local community and should lead by example.

"I am very sorry for the situation I found myself in."