Zack Polanski cleared by ethics inquiry over council tax payment complaint

The complaints, lodged by the Labour and Conservative parties, centered on Polanski's alleged failure to pay council tax during his time living on the houseboat from 2022. Polanski, who had previously apologized for an "unintentional mistake," provided evidence to the monitoring officer, stating that it remained unclear whether any tax was actually due, as the boat's location was on the border of two local authorities. He also shared his personal experiences with financial hardship and housing insecurity, noting that he had previously lived as a property guardian, where council tax was typically managed through license fees.

Polanski asserted that he never intended to evade council tax or gain any improper financial advantage, attributing any oversight to a misunderstanding of requirements related to his unconventional living situation. He emphasized that his housing choices reflected his economic circumstances rather than an attempt to avoid obligations. The Green party affirmed the inquiry's findings, stating the matter is considered closed, while Neil Garratt, the Conservative assembly member who initiated the complaint, criticized Polanski's "cavalier attitude" towards tax obligations.