Four Cornwall councillors have faced legal action for failing to pay their council tax bills on time – but their identities are still being hidden under data protection rules.

Despite an initial refusal to reveal the number of members involved, the authority has been forced to reveal the information after successive freedom of information requests from the Packet.

One councillor, Andrew Wallis, came forward following the original story in August to admit he had not paid his tax on time in 2009, but the other three have yet to reveal their identities.

Now the Packet has written to all 122 serving councillors asking them one simple question: “Have you had legal action taken against you for council tax arrears since 2009?”

At the time of going to press, 42 have responded, with Councillor Wallis confirming his position, and the 41 others declaring that they have not been subject to legal action in the past two years.

Their names are listed below.

A decision on whether the council can be forced to name the individuals involved is now in the hands of the Information Commissioner, who rules on the vailidity of freedom of information requests.

Robert Oxley, campaign manager for the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: “It’s shocking that councillors have allowed themselves to be dragged into legal proceedings for not paying their council tax.

“They set the rates in Cornwall and should set an example by paying on time and in full. It’s unacceptable that their actions are needlessly costing taxpayers’ money in court fees.

“Local politicians who are caught up in legal action for non-payment of bills to their own authorities will struggle to be seen as credible representatives of the community they seek to represent.”

*The councillors who have contacted the Packet at the time of going to press to say they have had no legal action taken against them since 2009 are;

Coun Tamsin Williams (Lib Dem, Penzance Central)

Coun Steve Double (Con, St Austell Poltair)

Coun Mark Kaczmarek (Ind, St Day and Lanner)

Coun David Hughes (Lib Dem, Tywardreath)

Coun Fred Greenslade (Ind, St Dennis)

Coun Bob Egerton (Ind, Probus)

Coun Lance Kennedy (Con, Bodmin East)

Coun Joan Symons (Con, St Ives South)

Coun Steve Eva (Ind, Falmouth Arwenack)

Coun Chris Ridgers (Con, Mabe)

Coun Mario Fonk (Lib Dem, Gulval and Heamoor)

Coun Julian German (Ind, Roseland)

Coun Terry Wilkins (Con, Illogan)

Coun Chris Goninan (Ind, St Just in Penwith)

Coun Les Donnithorne (Lib Dem, St Agnes)

Coun Graeme Hicks (Ind, Redruth South)

Coun Armand Toms (Con, Looe East)

Coun Patrick Lambshead (Con, Newquay Tretherras)

Coun Edwina Hannaford (Lib Dem, Looe West and Lansallos)

Coun Carolyn Rule (Con, Mullion)

Coun Fiona Ferguson (Con, Truro Trehaverne)

Coun Joanna Kenny (Lib Dem, Newquay Pentire)

Coun Neil Burden (Ind, Stokeclimsland)

Coun Robin Teverson (Lib Dem, St Mewan)

Coun Collin Brewer (Ind, Wadebridge East)

Coun Jude Robinson (Lab, Camborne North)

Coun Derek Holley (Ind, Saltash Pill)

Coun Stuart Cullimore (MK, Camborne South)

Coun Stephen Rushworth (Con, Padstow)

Coun Morwenna Williams (Con, Troon and Beacon)

Coun John Turner (Lib Dem, St Ives)

Coun Bryan Preston (Lib Dem, Saltash Burraton)

Coun David Saunby (Ind, Falmouth Trescobeas)

Coun Olive Eggleston (Con, St Germans)

Coun John Dyer (Con, Chacewater and Kenwyn)

Coun Lisa Dolley (Ind, Redruth North)

Coun Doris Ansari (Lib Dem, Truro Tregolls)

Coun Glenton Brown (Lib Dem, Tintagel)

Coun Mike Eddowes (Con, Redruth Central)

Coun Roger Harding (Con, Newlyn and Mousehole)

Coun Alex Robertson (Con, Helston North)