A POSSIBLE visitor levy for Argyll and Bute could go out to public consultation again, a report has suggested.
The Scottish Parliament passed the Visitor Levy (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill last month, making a flat rate option available to councils who decide to operate a visitor levy. The Bill is now awaiting Royal Assent.
Argyll and Bute Councillors are now being recommended to agree that a further report is published in June to consider and approve a further public consultation on a revised visitor levy scheme.
The council initially decided to pause its project on a possible visitor levy in September, and continued the pause in January. It will now consider the latest developments at a full council meeting on Wednesday, April 29.
The report also contains details of two local exemptions which are recommended for consideration by the Shadow Visitor Levy Forum (SVLF).
These are healthcare visits by islanders to the mainland of Argyll and Bute, and outdoor education centres with a focus on young people on residential trips.
Other possible local exemptions were marked as not for consideration, including Argyll and Bute residents and workers travelling to the area. The SVLF is due to hold its next meeting on Friday, May 15.
Executive director Kirsty Flanagan said: “The SVLF had an initial discussion on how visitor levy income could be spent across the Argyll and Bute visitor economy further to the introduction of a VLS (visitor levy scheme).
“To give due consideration to revenue spend, the discussion focused on feedback on the strategic objectives of the scheme captured in the consultation report 2025.
“In particular, the objective to sustain and improve the visitor offer received the most consistent support from visitors, residents and businesses.
“On that basis, it was suggested that investment directly linked to the visitor experience may be the most widely understood and accepted rationale for a visitor levy.
“It is apparent from the consultation findings that the draft VLS objectives themselves were viewed as broad or aspirational, without a clear explanation of how the levy would translate into tangible outcomes. In addition, all consulted groups noted the requirement for more clarity on how levy funds would be allocated and governed.
“The proposals for visitor levy spend, based on a preferred financial model, will be included in a revised VLS for consideration by Argyll and Bute Council at a future date.”
It is recommended that the council “Agrees that a further report come back to the council in June to consider and approve a further public consultation on a revised visitor levy scheme informed by the work of the SVLF and the amended legislation.”
Ms Flanagan added: “A Visitor Levy (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill and accompanying documents has been passed by the Scottish Parliament and is now awaiting Royal Assent.
“This paper provides an update on the work being taken forward by the SVLF and associated recommendations to date on local exemptions and draft funding model scenarios.
“The position taken by elected members around the suggested recommendations within this update report will inform the direction of travel to prepare a revised draft VLS, with key input from the SVLF.
“The intention is to come back to council in June to seek approval for a further public consultation period informed by the continuing work of the SVLF concerning local exemptions and draft funding models.”
Andrew Galloway
Local Democracy Reporter
