A local politician who owes more than £1,000 in council tax has blamed the cost of living crisis - saying being in debt is now 'the norm'. Newly-elected Tyldesley and Mosley Common councillor James Fish owes Wigan town hall £1,237.
The Independent Network ward representative, who bagged a seat at the borough's all-out elections in May, said: "Not everyone can afford immediate bills. I have had residents asking about arrears - and I say I have the same issues."
A Freedom of Information request submitted by the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) revealed the last payment Coun Fish made was on October 15, 2022. He said he has struggled to keep up with payments in recent years, resulting in a build-up, but has vowed to get straight later this year.
