ARGYLL and Bute Council’s administration and opposition leaders have agreed that proceeds from a possible cruise ship levy should be used flexibly in the area.
The authority has been asked for its views on a potential charge for cruise ships as part of the Cruise Ship Levy (Scotland) Bill which is being passed through the Scottish Parliament.
However, Councillor Gary Mulvaney (Conservative, Helensburgh Central) raised doubt about the council’s draft response on how funds would be used.
Councillor Jim Lynch (SNP, Oban South and the Isles) then expressed agreement with his opposite number.
The discussion took place at a meeting of the council’s environment, development and infrastructure committee on Thursday, June 19.
A report in advance of the meeting showed how council officials would intend to respond as part of the consultation on the proposed levy.
On a question regarding how revenue raised by a cruise ship levy should be used, the council indicated it would tick the answer: “Revenue raised by a cruise ship levy should be required to be spent on facilities and services used by cruise ship passengers and/or the cruise ship industry.”
It added the comment: “With tight and uncertain public sector budgets, year-on-year, the proceeds of a cruise ship levy would help local authorities to maintain services and infrastructure that support the visitor experience and used by residents.”
Councillor Mulvaney said: “If we are going to get additional fiscal powers we do need as much flexibility as to how they are exercised as possible.
“I saw the response on how revenue raised by a cruise ship levy should be used, and to me that straight away means we will lose a degree of flexibility.
“My response would have been that as a local authority, we should be able to use money raised in any way the authority wishes.
“That would allow us to spend on cruise ship facilities, or whatever, but other areas wider than that, because we simply do not have enough revenue as an authority.
“The key is to get revenue without any strings attached. We want as much flexibility as possible, and we may well decide to spend it on things relating to cruise ships.
“Or we may well change our minds. But I do think we need the maximum flexibility so local authority members can decide.”
Councillor Lynch then added: “I 100 per cent agree. Some areas do not get the benefit of it and we are getting this flexibility we need to be flexible on where we spend it.”
Ishabel Bremner, the council’s economic growth manager, responded: “The consultation did not really align to the committee papers. I have suggested that a separate letter could come from members for the political aspect, rather than an officer response.”
