TEN warning letters have been sent to Bradford councillors in a little more than three years for failing to pay Council tax.

The authority's reminders were sent out between 2012 and this year.

In 2013, six councillors received warning letters reminding them they owed money. In 2012, there were two, last year one, and one so far in 2015.

However, the Council refused to reveal the names of the councillors under Section 40 of the Freedom of Information Act, or the parties they were members of.

It is not known whether any councillors, who are all remunerated from the public purse for their service, received more than one letter.

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Four group leaders told the Telegraph & Argus that they did not know who the councillors in question were.

Bradford Council leader David Green said he paid his Council tax by direct debit and blamed human frailty for any missed payments.

He added: "The reminders are sent out very early after people have missed a payment, to try to avoid people getting into arrears.

"Most councillors, I think, are on direct debit, so it is not an issue for most of them.

"But clearly sometimes people forget to make a payment, or a payment has not cleared.

"It would clearly be profitable for all councillors to be ahead of the curve as far as paying Council tax is concerned. But councillors are only human and forget things sometimes. Quite often it is human frailty."

Cllr Green said the leaders of all parties on the Council receive reminders about their councillors' tax payments to ensure all members are entitled to vote.

"They are not allowed to vote on important issues if they don't pay," added Cllr Green.

Bradford Conservative group leader, Councillor Simon Cooke, who also pays his Council tax by direct debit, said: "Obviously we should pay our Council tax, and promptly. I appreciate people have different circumstances - whether it is disorganisation or lack of funds.

"But perhaps, given the Council pays us an allowance, they ought to just set up a standing order."

He added: "It is not huge numbers because people make errors. But councillors ought to set up a direct debit or standing order.

"People really should, if they can, pay by direct debit because it is convenient. And the more people that pay by direct debit, the more money the Council saves that could be spent on other services."

Councillor Jeanette Sunderland, leader of the Liberal Democrats on the Council, said each councillor's tax affairs was their own personal business.

She added: "Absolutely they should be paying their Council tax - all councillors should. It is illegal not to pay their Council tax if they are making decisions on the Council. As they sign up to be councillors, they are told that.

"I pay my Council tax on time."

Councillor Alyas Karmani, leader of Bradford Independents, said: "Councillors need to lead by example. I have got a direct debit.

"It is not acceptable that they are falling short in terms of that responsibility. Paying Council tax is part of our responsibility and we should be leading by example in terms of making these payments."

Jonathan Isaby, chief executive of the Taxpayers' Alliance, said: "We don't know what personal circumstances may have been involved, so we shouldn't jump to conclusions.

"However, these figures show that for many people - including Councillors - paying Council Tax is a hefty bill that is often difficult to pay. The Council need to do everything they can to bring bills down, making it easier to pay for Councillors and so-called 'ordinary' residents alike."