Thousands of pounds in unpaid council tax is owed by elected members in Renfrewshire, it has been revealed.

Four councillors whose total arrears amount to more than £14,000 are being offered support to pay back the cash. 

The debts, which have been run up by SNP and Labour politicians, came to light as a result of a Freedom of Information request to all 32 local authorities in Scotland.

Renfrewshire Council has confirmed it is aware of the debts and plans are in place to reduce the arrears.

A spokesperson said: “The council takes a robust approach to collecting council tax, which is achieved through a variety of means.

“We have a consistently high collection rate, which has been above the national average for the last three years, and can confirm that, in the last two years, we collected 96 per cent of all council tax owed within that year.

“We can confirm that the amount of £14,101 will have reduced to just under £1,000 by September 1 due to arrangements we have in place.”

The code of conduct for councillors makes reference to council tax arrears, although these do not prevent someone from standing for election or continuing as a councillor.

It states: “The law makes specific provision that, if a councillor is in two months’ arrears with payment of council tax, that councillor may not participate in certain decisions concerning council tax issues, in order to preserve public confidence that councillors are taking decisions in the general public interest.

“Whilst you are a member of the community, you are also a representative of that community and of the council to which you are elected.

"As there is potential for public perception of abuse of position and poor leadership, you must seek to avoid being in debt to the council.”