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Scotsman
3 days ago
- Business
- Scotsman
West Lothian visitor levy scheme could potentially bring in more than £1m a year
A visitor levy scheme for West Lothian could potentially bring in more than £1m a year into council coffers. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... But while councillors welcomed the start of consultations agreed this week, the Tories branded the proposals a tourist tax which would hit local business and discourage visitors. And councillors were concerned as officers offered a cautious two year path to an actual introduction following a similar decision taken by the council in Edinburgh last month. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Councillor Sally Pattle, Lib Dem, Linithgow, asked how soon the levy could be introduced. 'How urgently are we moving on this, what is the time line given this is an easy revenue stream we can capitalise on.' A report to West Lothian's Executive outlined potential income based on the 298,000 visitors who stayed in the county in 2024 The meeting heard that there are statutory guidelines on the introduction of a levy demanding clear consultation. 'Are those conversations taking place already?' asked Councillor Pattle. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Jim Henderson, Business development manager said the conversation was in the early stages. Edinburgh last month agreed to impose a 5% levy from next summer. Glasgow, Argyll and Bute, and Aberdeen are all now in formal consultation stage. Other councils such as East Lothian, Stirling, Dumfries & Galloway, and others have been given approval for 'early engagement' work. Many cities across Europe now have visitor levies in place. A report to West Lothian's Executive outlined potential income based on the 298,000 visitors who stayed in the county in 2024. The most expensive accommodation, with an average spend of £100 per person per night would generate £1,342, 800 at a 5% levy. The lowest proposed levy of 2% would generate more than £500,000 in the most expensive accommodation. In a report to the Executive, Stewart Ness, Tourism and Town Centre Manager said: 'Whilst Visitor Levy is historically considered in areas of 'over-tourism', such as Edinburgh, it may be inappropriate to argue that this applies across West Lothian where some areas might benefit from an increase in visitors. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'There could be a risk that West Lothian is 'left behind' by neighbouring local authority areas that do use the ring-fenced funds raised through the introduction of a Visitor Levy to invest in tourism in their areas.' Stressing the need to establish consultation with local businesses Mr Ness added: 'Local authorities are encouraged to conduct early engagement before entering the consultation phase . 'Although not statutory, this engagement phase is considered by the guidance to be best practice. Learning from other local authorities' areas who have undergone the process is available and this could be used to guide the process in West Lothian. 'By engaging with the tourism businesses in this collaborative fashion, it will increase understanding for the scheme amongst those who will be responsible for collecting the levy. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'By using already established networks, such as Visit West Lothian and Business Gateway, it should increase the participation rates of businesses in the engagement.' However Conservative group leader Damian Doran-Timson criticised a move to what he called a tourist tax which could damage local business. In an amendment he said: 'Given the importance of this tax on business and the negative impact this is likely to have on the tourist economy across West Lothian it is vital that all West Lothian Councillors are involved in the decision making on this extra tax.' The amendment welcomed the decision to engage with those in the tourism industry and added: ' [We] trust the Council will ensure those who will have to administrate the scheme are fully advised of the processes involved and the implications.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad He told the meeting: 'This is a tax on people, a tax on businesses and a tax in individuals.' The amendment called for any future decision on the implementation of a levy to come back to full council because all councillors would have businesses in their areas which could be affected. The SNP group leader Janet Campbell welcomed the report but said : ' It doesn't seem to be moving forward at a pace we would have expected and, given that we are looking at more than £1m, which would almost cover the savings to be made on the community centres. It seems to be a bit of a no-brainer.' Councillor Pattle said: ' I welcome this report, but I have concerns about the lack of urgency, I hope that we are able to move forward with this easy income strategy at pace.' In a vote Councillor Doran-Timson's amendment demanding later decisions come to full council rather than the executive was defeated along with a similar amendment from the SNP.
Edinburgh Reporter
4 days ago
- Business
- Edinburgh Reporter
Tourist tax could generate £1m income in West Lothian
A visitor levy scheme for West Lothian could potentially bring in more than £1m a year into council coffers. But while councillors welcomed the start of consultations agreed this week, the Tories branded the proposals a tourist tax which would hit local business and discourage visitors. And councillors were concerned as officers offered a cautious two-year path to an actual introduction following a similar decision taken by the council in Edinburgh last month. Councillor Sally Pattle, Lib Dem, Linithgow, asked how soon the levy could be introduced. 'How urgently are we moving on this, what is the timeline given this is an easy revenue stream we can capitalise on.' The meeting heard that there are statutory guidelines on the introduction of a levy demanding clear consultation. 'Are those conversations taking place already?' asked Councillor Pattle. Jim Henderson, Business development manager said the conversation was in the early stages. Edinburgh last month agreed to impose a 5% levy from next summer. Glasgow, Argyll and Bute, and Aberdeen are all now in formal consultation stage. Other councils such as East Lothian, Stirling, Dumfries & Galloway, and others have been given approval for 'early engagement' work. Many cities across Europe now have visitor levies in place. A report to West Lothian's Executive outlined potential income based on the 298,000 visitors who stayed in the county in 2024. The most expensive accommodation, with an average spend of £100 per person per night would generate £1,342, 800 at a 5% levy. The lowest proposed levy of 2% would generate more than £500,000 in the most expensive accommodation. In a report to the Executive, Stewart Ness, Tourism and Town Centre Manager said: 'Whilst Visitor Levy is historically considered in areas of 'over-tourism', such as Edinburgh, it may be inappropriate to argue that this applies across West Lothian where some areas might benefit from an increase in visitors. 'There could be a risk that West Lothian is 'left behind' by neighbouring local authority areas that do use the ring-fenced funds raised through the introduction of a Visitor Levy to invest in tourism in their areas.' Stressing the need to establish consultation with local businesses Mr Ness added: 'Local authorities are encouraged to conduct early engagement before entering the consultation phase. 'Although not statutory, this engagement phase is considered by the guidance to be best practice. Learning from other local authorities' areas who have undergone the process is available and this could be used to guide the process in West Lothian. 'By engaging with the tourism businesses in this collaborative fashion, it will increase understanding for the scheme amongst those who will be responsible for collecting the levy. 'By using already established networks, such as Visit West Lothian and Business Gateway, it should increase the participation rates of businesses in the engagement.' However Conservative group leader Damian Doran-Timson criticised a move to what he called a tourist tax which could damage local business. In an amendment he said: 'Given the importance of this tax on business and the negative impact this is likely to have on the tourist economy across West Lothian it is vital that all West Lothian Councillors are involved in the decision making on this extra tax.' The amendment welcomed the decision to engage with those in the tourism industry and added: '[We] trust the Council will ensure those who will have to administrate the scheme are fully advised of the processes involved and the implications.' He told the meeting: 'This is a tax on people, a tax on businesses and a tax in individuals.' The amendment called for any future decision on the implementation of a levy to come back to full council because all councillors would have businesses in their areas which could be affected. The SNP group leader Janet Campbell welcomed the report but said: 'It doesn't seem to be moving forward at a pace we would have expected and, given that we are looking at more than £1m, which would almost cover the savings to be made on the community centres. It seems to be a bit of a no-brainer.' Councillor Pattle said: ' I welcome this report, but I have concerns about the lack of urgency, I hope that we are able to move forward with this easy income strategy at pace.' In a vote Councillor Doran-Timson's amendment demanding later decisions come to full council rather than the executive was defeated along with a similar amendment from the SNP. By Stuart Sommerville, Local Democracy Reporter Like this: Like Related
Telegraph
4 days ago
- Business
- Telegraph
Council wants to charge locals £70 to park outside their own homes
Residents will have to pay £70 to park outside their own homes, according to council plans. Parking meters could be installed along roads within one kilometre (0.6 miles) of the seafront, with residents offered parking permits for £70, according to plans from Lib Dem-led Bournemouth, Christchurch and Pool (BCP) council. Residents have accused the council of hypocrisy after it sold two 'key' seafront car parks, with the scheme labelled 'another attack' on motorists by the council, which has declared a climate emergency. The local authority has previously been accused of causing traffic mayhem with prolonged roadworks to lay almost 50 miles of new cycle lanes in the area in an attempt to make travel more sustainable. Plans for new parking meters come after a spate of 'Wild West' parking incidents as tourists left their cars on pavements, grass verges and even roundabouts. Officials claim the extra revenue from the parking charges will help pay for more tow-trucks to take away illegally parked cars. Motorists currently have to pay to park on most streets in the centre of Bournemouth but the large residential areas in Canford Cliffs, Branksome Chine and Westcliff, as well as Boscombe and Southbourne, are free. Peter Schroeder, the chairman of the Branksome Park Residents Association, called the scheme 'stupid'. He said: 'This proposal comes from the same council that is selling off key car parks. It is hypocrisy. We say no to residents paying to park their own cars on their own streets. 'We already have some of the highest council tax charges in the area. Charging residents and their guests and tradespeople doing work in houses and flats is a stupid idea. 'The council should give much stiffer penalties to those who do illegally park. £50 is probably nothing to them. If it was £1,000 they would think twice.' Shaun White, a resident, said on social media: 'How is charging for parking spaces which are currently free going to prevent people from parking illegally on grass verges and double yellows?' 'Revenue for additional parking enforcement' Last weekend, as thousands of tourists visited Bournemouth, more than 1,000 cars were ticketed for being illegally parked and ten were towed away. Councillor Richard Herrett, the portfolio holder for destination, leisure and commercial operations at BCP Council, said: 'We welcome more than 10 million visitors annually to our seafront. 'We know at busy times we have a significant issue with illegal or inconsiderate parking. This significantly impacts road safety and can affect the quality of life for local residents. 'These proposals to extend seafront paid-for parking could generate revenue for additional parking enforcement and give us the ability to better enforce illegal parking across a wider area including increasing the number of vehicles which could be towed away in the worst parking instances.' The proposal will now go out for public consultation before a final decision is made.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Kate Forbes calls for action on Brexit damage as Scotland's economy shrinks
DEPUTY First Minister Kate Forbes has highlighted 'difficult global trading conditions' as new figures showed Scotland's economy shrank for the second consecutive month. Scottish Government statistics revealed GDP was down by 0.2% in April, with this coming after a fall of 0.4% in March. It had previously been reported that GDP was down by 0.2% for that month, but the latest figures showed the fall was larger than initially estimated. However in the first three months of this year, the economy grew by 0.4%, the data showed. Forbes said: 'After a positive start to the year when we saw Scotland's GDP grow 0.4% in the first quarter, these figures show that – like the rest of the UK – we have been impacted by ongoing challenges, including more difficult global trading conditions.' READ MORE: She stressed the Scottish Government was 'taking steps to transform Scotland's economy by pursuing new investment, building export potential and supporting innovation'. But the Deputy First Minister added: 'We need decisive action from the UK Government to counter the damaging economic impacts of Brexit and tackle business uncertainty – including reversing its decision to increase employers' national insurance contributions.' However, LibDem economy spokesman Jamie Greene questioned whether the SNP government could be able to build a 'solid economic foundation'. He said: 'There is obviously a lot of turmoil going on in the world right now but that is why building a solid economic foundation is so important. 'Scotland needs an economy that is robust, resilient and growing. But after years of SNP mismanagement it is clear the nationalists will never be able to deliver that. 'Put simply: they will never care as much about the Scottish economy and the public services it supports as they do about their real goal, which is driving a wedge between Scotland and the rest of the UK.'
Daily Record
4 days ago
- Business
- Daily Record
West Lothian 'tourist tax' could bring in £1m as council urged to push forward
But while councillors welcomed the start of consultations agreed this week, the Tories branded the proposals a tourist tax which would hit local business and discourage visitors. A visitor levy scheme for West Lothian could potentially bring in more than £1m a year into council coffers. But while councillors welcomed the start of consultations agreed this week, the Tories branded the proposals a tourist tax which would hit local business and discourage visitors. And councillors were concerned as officers offered a cautious two year path to an actual introduction following a similar decision taken by the council in Edinburgh last month. Councillor Sally Pattle, Lib Dem, Linlithgow, asked how soon the levy could be introduced. 'How urgently are we moving on this, what is the time line given this is an easy revenue stream we can capitalise on.' The meeting heard that there are statutory guidelines on the introduction of a levy demanding clear consultation. 'Are those conversations taking place already?' asked Councillor Pattle. Jim Henderson, Business development manager said the conversation was in the early stages. Edinburgh last month agreed to impose a five per cent levy from next summer. Glasgow, Argyll and Bute, and Aberdeen are all now in formal consultation stage. Other councils such as East Lothian, Stirling, Dumfries & Galloway, and others have been given approval for 'early engagement' work. Many cities across Europe now have visitor levies in place. A report to West Lothian's Executive outlined potential income based on the 298,000 visitors who stayed in the county in 2024. The most expensive accommodation, with an average spend of £100 per person per night would generate £1,342, 800 at a five per cent levy. The lowest proposed levy of two per cent would generate more than £500,000 in the most expensive accommodation. In a report to the Executive, Stewart Ness, Tourism and Town Centre Manager said: 'Whilst Visitor Levy is historically considered in areas of 'over-tourism', such as Edinburgh, it may be inappropriate to argue that this applies across West Lothian where some areas might benefit from an increase in visitors. 'There could be a risk that West Lothian is 'left behind' by neighbouring local authority areas that do use the ring-fenced funds raised through the introduction of a Visitor Levy to invest in tourism in their areas.' Stressing the need to establish consultation with local businesses Mr Ness added: 'Local authorities are encouraged to conduct early engagement before entering the consultation phase. 'Although not statutory, this engagement phase is considered by the guidance to be best practice. Learning from other local authorities' areas who have undergone the process is available and this could be used to guide the process in West Lothian. 'By engaging with the tourism businesses in this collaborative fashion, it will increase understanding for the scheme amongst those who will be responsible for collecting the levy. 'By using already established networks, such as Visit West Lothian and Business Gateway, it should increase the participation rates of businesses in the engagement.' However Conservative group leader Damian Doran-Timson criticised a move to what he called a tourist tax which could damage local business. In an amendment he said: 'Given the importance of this tax on business and the negative impact this is likely to have on the tourist economy across West Lothian it is vital that all West Lothian Councillors are involved in the decision making on this extra tax.' The amendment welcomed the decision to engage with those in the tourism industry and added: ' [We] trust the Council will ensure those who will have to administrate the scheme are fully advised of the processes involved and the implications.' He told the meeting: 'This is a tax on people, a tax on businesses and a tax in individuals.' The amendment called for any future decision on the implementation of a levy to come back to full council because all councillors would have businesses in their areas which could be affected. The SNP group leader Janet Campbell welcomed the report but said : ' It doesn't seem to be moving forward at a pace we would have expected and, given that we are looking at more than £1m, which would almost cover the savings to be made on the community centres. It seems to be a bit of a no-brainer.' Councillor Pattle said: ' I welcome this report, but I have concerns about the lack of urgency, I hope that we are able to move forward with this easy income strategy at pace.' In a vote Councillor Doran-Timson's amendment demanding later decisions come to full council rather than the executive was defeated along with a similar amendment from the SNP.
