Three Oldham councillors missed a council tax bill recently

A freedom of information request sent to Oldham Council by The Oldham Times has revealed that Cllrs Abdul Malik, Aftab Hussain and Brian Hobin all failed to pay their council tax on at least one occasion since the beginning of the financial year in 2018.

As of November, two of the councillors had paid their bills but Failsworth Independent Party's Cllr Hobin was yet to pay his summonses.

Cllr Brian Hobin received his summonses in March and May last year (Image: Oldham Council)

Explaining why he was issued them in March last year, and again two months later in May, Cllr Hobin said: "The summonses were for the period where I took over The Mare and Foal public house.

"There was confusion over the transfer dates for the business and also regarding the payment, as the living accommodation was not being utilised.

"This issue was resolved and the outstanding balance was incorporated into the regular monthly DD council tax payments that are currently right up to date."

Council tax list for residents in the borough (Image: Oldham Council)

The Failsworth East representative added: "I am currently awaiting an email from the council tax office to confirm my payments are up to date."

When asked for his stance on council tax, and whether residents should have to pay it, and if he believes the current precept is too high, he said: "Yes, I believe that residents should pay it. Whether or not I believe that the council spend it wisely, or that residents get value for money is another issue.

"If you are asking about the mayoral precept, then yes I think that is too high. The necessity for a mayor and the extra level of bureaucracy that comes with the office including the cost is something that grates me - I’m pretty sure we managed quite well across Greater Manchester before we had a Mayor."

Currently, for the 2023/24 financial year, Oldhamers in a council tax band A household must pay £1,476 annually, while those whose property falls under band H pay £4,428.

According to Independent Cllr Aftab Hussain, the reason he failed to pay his bill and received a summons for council tax arrears in May 2018 was because his daughters were in university, he claimed.

Cllr Aftab Hussain received his summons in May 2018 (Image: Oldham Council)

He told The Oldham Times that he was living with his wife and daughters who were all studying at university at the time he received his summons.

The St Mary's representative said: "It's a misunderstanding between myself and the council because both of my daughters were at university

"They do give you a reduction a little bit so when I said to them they said yes we'll send an amended bill - and as soon as I got it amended I paid it."

He added: "We have to pay the council tax to fund the council and allow them to carry out the quality service for the local community."

However, according to the Oldham Council website, it states that if there are two people who are not students living at the address, no discount can be granted at all.

Over in Saddleworth, residents whose household falls under the council tax band H zone fork out £4,479 a year, while those in council tax band A properties pay £1,493.

Meanwhile, like Cllr Hobin, Labour's Abdul Malik also received his summons in May last year.

The Coldhurst representative said: "At the beginning of this financial year I missed correspondence reminding me to make new payment arrangements for council tax and, as a result, fell behind.

Cllr Abdul Malik received his summons in May last year (Image: Oldham Council)

"Since this had been brought to my attention I had made a new payment arrangement and have paid my annual council tax bill in full.

"I was glad to do so given the importance of council tax in funding vital local services."

The full list of what council tax pays for includes services throughout the borough such as protecting and supporting elderly people and vulnerable adults, as well as supporting children and young people, collecting, recycling and disposing rubbish, maintaining roads, pavements, street lighting and cleaning streets.

It also contributes to the running of public libraries and leisure centres, the upkeep of parks and open spaces, as well as other services including planning, trading standards, elections, cemeteries and registration of births, marriages and deaths .

Residents' council tax also pays for levies for services such as public transport, the Greater Manchester Mayor and Police and Crime Commissioner, including general functions like the fire service.

While residents that live in Saddleworth and Shaw and Crompton pay an additional fee to fund services ran by the parish councils. 

Responding to the three councillors who received council tax summons, a spokesperson for the council added: “We do not comment on people’s personal council tax matters.”

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