Council refuse to rule out tourist tax

Stirling Council’s leader has refused to rule out a tourism tax for the area.

But Scott Farmer said a decision would only be taken after analysis and consultation.

Nicola Sturgeon has promised that the Scottish Government will look at the possibility of following the lead of European destinations like Barcelona, Berlin and Amsterdam by giving local authorities the power to introduce the levy.

It is estimated that a £2-a-night levy in Edinburgh, which welcomes around four million guests annually, could raise up to £29 million.

However, some tourism gurus say there is a danger that introducing such as levy could deter visitors and backfire.

At a full meeting of the council Tory group leader Neil Benny asked the council leader to rule out any possibility of the SNP/ Labour administration introducing the tax.

Councillor Farmer said: “Powers to introduce such a tax are not currently devolved to local authorities.

“Work is currently being undertaken by the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities on transient visitor tax as part of its wider activity to seek greater discretionary tax powers for local government.

“Cosla are seeking a tax rather than a levy as this would provide local government with greater flexibility around how the money would be used locally.

“Cosla are now undertaking a programme of engagement with national trade bodies, parliamentary parties and other key stakeholders to take forward this agenda.

“Edinburgh and Aberdeen city councils are both currently taking forward proposals for a tourism visitor levy and are in the midst of significant engagement with their local industry representatives and trade bodies and both cities state that, in general, these stakeholders are supportive of the levy.

“The Scottish Government position is that they are keen to understand the implications of any legislative changes this agenda would require and what consideration had been given to alternative options, including those available under existing powers, before a decision was made.

“Greater fiscal empowerment for local authorities would be welcomed to allow decisionmaking to be more locally focused but any use of any such powers by this council would be taken in the best interests of Stirling and its people.

“A number of aspects have to be looked at and we will come to a collective view if and when that time comes.

“However, I would welcome the power for this council to make a decision one way or another.”

Councillor Benny said later: “I am really worried at the evasive response.

“We only have to look at the report about the impact on businesses in Edinburgh to see that this is a badly flawed idea from the SNP.

“Our council leader should have taken the opportunity to rule it out and provide some certainty for our visitor economy. However, the temptation to raise some money for more of their hare-brained schemes may be too great.”