Independent Network campaigner Andrew Pope has submitted a Freedom of Information request for information on all fifty-one Southampton City Councillors, and whether they paid their Council Tax.
It was accepted on 20th February 2026.
Under the law, public bodies have twenty working days to provide the information.
That time expired on 20th March 2026.
Andrew says:
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| Andrew Pope in Shirley Towers in 2026 Photo: Southampton Independents |
"Why the delay? It is required by law that they respond to me now.
When I lived in Somerset for three years between 2019-2022, I found many councillors who had not paid their council tax to the same councils at which they were elected - not for just a month but some over months or even years.
Some were even unapologetic about it, and even brazen, particularly one Green Party councillor.
You can see the results of this investigation and campaigning on the Somerset Independents website.
I accelerated the end of the political career of almost all of those councillors.
I also found some councillors who did not attend the budget setting meeting, where council tax is decided.
Sometimes, there appeared to be a relationship between those who did not attend that meeting to set council tax, and those who had not paid their own council tax.
We will see whether this applies to any Southampton councillors, when the Council finally replies to my request."
