Ex-councillor refusing to pay council tax over devolution concerns

A former councillor who refuses to pay council tax over concerns that Cheshire West and Chester Council, Cheshire East Council and Warrington Borough Council could participate in a new devolution deal has been issued with a liability order by a magistrates' court, it has been reported.

Will Charlton, who resigned from the now-defunct Vale Royal Borough Council in 2008, was handed the order by Chester Magistrates’ Court last week (19 June), according to a Cheshire Live.

Speaking in court, Charlton said he would not pay his council tax bill until receiving a response to a letter he had sent to the Government and Labour party over devolution in Cheshire.

According to Cheshire Live, Charlton was concerned about Warrington Borough Council’s involvement in a devolution deal with the two Cheshire councils given the borough has almost £2bn in debt.

The borough council also lost its credit rating last week after Moody's withdrew its rating over an audit backlog.

The court’s liability order requires Charlton to pay the outstanding tax.

He must also pay costs of £100, according to the report.

Charlton reportedly said he would go to jail "if necessary" upon departure from the court.

Adam Carey