A ROW has broken out between councillors following the closure of second-hand furniture project Top Drawer.

Swindon Borough Council says owner Steve Pickering has abandoned the Sussex Square unit owing the council rent and business rates believed to total more than £11,000.

The first debts began to build up in December 2014 and now a Labour councillor has criticised the local authority for taking a soft touch when it comes to businesses, something strongly disputed by council chiefs.

Cllr Derique Montaut (Lab, Liden, Eldene and Park South) says while residents are chased down immediately for payments, businesses are allowed to build up large debts. He said: “At the last council meeting I raised a series of questions regarding the failure to recoup money owed from various organisations, citing the recent example of Top Drawer failing to pay their taxation of £11,405.69.

“I requested from the leader of the council what action the council has taken to recoup these monies and whether there was a robust system of warning those organisations to pay what they owe and gave the example of action the council takes to low-income residents in council tax arrears.

“They get bailiffs arriving and all sorts of threats from the council and yet these organisations seem to get nothing.”

He also accused the council of playing politics rather than addressing what he sees as a serious issue.

“The written response I received from the council leader seemed to want to play politics and abdicate the administration from its responsibilities rather than treat every pound of council taxpayers’ money with respect,” said Cllr Montaut.

The accusation has been vehemently denied by council leader David Renard (Con, Haydon Wick).

He says there is a good record of collecting debts owed by businesses.

He said: “Cabinet members are not here to become involved in management detail.

“We employ professional officers to undertake these day-to-day tasks. The council’s overall position on collecting rents, council tax and business rates is very good.

“None of the Walcot and Park North, or Liden, Eldene and Park South councillors approached me or any cabinet colleague with any concerns about an organisation that was part of their local community.

“Ultimately, responsibility for paying what is owed lies with Mr Pickering and the council will follow its usual debt collection processes.”