A FOREST of Dean councillor who sits on three different authorities received a court summons for not paying his own council tax bill.

Conservative Councillor Alan Preest, who represents Lydney at county, district and town council level, said he wanted to test the system to see how it treats people who don’t or can’t pay their tax bill.

Cllr Preest, who is entitled to a £10,000 county council allowance and another £4,500 for representing Lydney North at district level, was summoned to court after failing to pay his August instalment last year, but settled it after a court summons.

“I tested it out and got a summons and had to pay an extra £55,” he said.

“I did it to see how they treat people who miss an instalment.”

Cllr Preest lives in Bream and has an annual council tax bill of 1,208.95 for 2016/2017. He said that despite doing his payments electronically there was a glitch that prevented his August payment going through while he was away during the summer,” he added.

“I understand it if you miss payments three, four or five times but to miss just one and get a summons?

“I’ve got nothing to hide, but I think a little leniency should be given to more vulnerable people and those who have a change in circumstances.”