Zack Polanski Cleared Over Houseboat Council Tax Row

Zack Polanski has been cleared over claims that he broke the code of conduct for London assembly members by failing to pay council tax while living on a houseboat in east London.

A report by the Greater London Authority (GLA)’s monitoring officer found the Green party leader’s personal living arrangements were beyond its scope and “no further action needs to be taken”. The case has been closed.

Polanski and his partner moved on to the houseboat, moored at Lee Valley Marina in Springfield, in August 2022. 

The London Assembly member was alleged by Labour and the Conservatives to have breached the body’s ethics code after it emerged that the boat was his primary place of residence and thus eligible for council tax. It remains unconfirmed whether any outstanding payments are due. 

Polanski said in a witness statement that he believed council tax was being paid as part of his mooring fees and never had any intention to evade payments. 

He added: “I readily acknowledge that I did not undertake further inquiries at the time regarding the specific council tax implications of living on a narrowboat. This is why I have already unreservedly apologised for that unintentional mistake.”

Polanski also shared that he had previously lived as a “property guardian”, paying a direct license fee to a provider which included council tax in return for occupying an otherwise-vacant building.  

“Whilst unconventional, this became my normal experience of housing administration and associated household outgoings,” Mr Polanski wrote. “I have personal experience of financial hardship and housing insecurity.

“Having lived through periods of economic difficulty on a limited income, I understand first-hand the challenges faced by many Londoners.”

A Green party spokesperson said: “The monitoring officer for the Greater London Authority has conducted an independent inquiry into the complaints made against Mr Polanski and decided to take no further action. We therefore consider this matter closed.”