COUNCILLORS will be informed of the views of colleagues on the proposed Argyll and Bute visitor levy as a full meeting looms.
Officers had recommended that the results of a consultation, which saw the majority of respondents express disagreement with the charge in its current form, should be noted and referred to a full council meeting.
However, members of a short life working group asked that the views they and other parties expressed during a meeting were represented ahead of the full council’s discussion.
Representatives of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Wild About Argyll and Visit Scotland
also gave their views during the working group’s meeting on Monday, September 15.
Minutes of that meeting will now be included in the suite of papers for a full Argyll and Bute Council meeting on Wednesday, September 24.
Councillor Julie McKenzie (SNP, Oban North and Lorn) said: “I believe that as a working group, we should be putting a steer to the council at this stage. I do not believe a straight pass through is the way to do that.
“I would like us to take account of everything that has been said today and look at referring it to the full council on September 24.”
Councillor Ross Moreland (Liberal Democrat, Dunoon) said: “I would leave it up to councillors if they want to put something forward on
the day in consideration with their groups.”
Councillor Gary Mulvaney (Conservative, Helensburgh Central) then said: “I do not think there is any harm in us giving our view. It would be along the lines of noting the consultation and the update from the shadow forum, and we recommend the council does two things.
“One is that we pause the implementation of the levy, and the other is that we refer to the Scottish Government that local authorities have wider powers in terms of a flat rate model that they could consider if they wish to implement in the future.
“If there is no agreement, we leave it to members of the council.”
Councillor Peter Wallace (Conservative, Isle of Bute) said that he agreed with Councillor Mulvaney’s comments.
Executive director Douglas Hendry said: “We need to tread carefully as Kirsty Flanagan (also an executive director) and I are members of the working group and if it comes to a vote we will be involved in that.
“If we want the council to get a flavour of what has been discussed at this meeting today, there is no reason why the minutes could not go to the council as part of the papers.”
Councillor McKenzie responded: “That was where I was going to come in. It is vital we reflect the views of partners in the shadow forum
that we have heard today, and the views of elected members in this group.
“We all seem to be coming from the same place and it is vital it is reflected to the full council, so all members have adequate opportunity to hear the views of the working group.”
Councillor Jim Lynch (SNP, Oban South and the Isles) said: “I tend to agree. As Councillor McKenzie and Councillor Mulvaney have said, it is right that people know what views have been discussed here.
“We are not making the final decision today, but it is sensible to know what we have discussed.”
The addition to the recommendations was then agreed.
