QUESTIONS for a public discussion on whether or not Powys County Council should implement a tourism levy need to be carefully worded, a councillor has warned.

At a meeting of the council’s Economy, Communities and Residents scrutiny committee on Thursday, September 4, councillors received a report which looked at the pros and cons of implementing the levy – which could bring money into council coffers to run services.

The report, which will go on to a Cabinet meeting later this month suggests the authority should ‘gather evidence’ to gauge the views of residents and the tourism sector on a visitor levy before any decision is made on its future.

Former council leader, Cllr James Gibson-Watt, who has remained in cabinet looking after the education and economic development briefs, explained that senior councillors wanted to know the opinion of the scrutiny committee before “committing” to any of the options.

Cllr Gibson-Watt said: “It’s an interesting idea, but as is often the case Welsh Government tend to delegate controversial things down to local government to make the final decision.

“This levy idea is not a new one – it’s well established in many countries of the world.”

Taking Barcelona as an example of a city where a form of tourism levy is paid, Cllr Gibson-Watt said: “Everything works, the public transport is fantastic, the streets are regularly cleaned, the recycling and rubbish is picked up every day and the visitor experience is greatly enhanced.”

“However Powys is more complicated, we do have one or two honey-pot locations such as Powis Castle (in Welshpool), Storey Arms and Pen y Fan in the Brecon Beacons, but finding a one size fits all approach is very difficult.”

He added that the tourism sector had given a “clear steer” that they didn’t think this was a “good idea at all.”

Cllr Pete Lewington said: “We should be pro-tourism as it brings many economic benefits to the county, it’s a vital employer.”

Cllr Lewington: “For me, this tax would mean less tourists and visitors and that in term leads to job losses and less income being spent on our high streets

“The potential disadvantages need to be teased out.”

He was also concerned that any money potentially raised by the levy would be used to help close the council’s budget black hole rather than help improve tourism related infrastructure in the county.

Cllr Lewington continued: “Residents who don’t work in the tourism industry will think this is a brilliant idea because it’s going to reduce their Council Tax – without fully understanding what is behind it.”

Cllr Liz Rijnenbergcalled for a cautious approach saying she was in favour of establuishing the views of the public.

The Visitor Accommodation (Register and Levy) Etc. (Wales) Bill is Wales’ first locally designed tax and is expected to receive Royal Assent later this year.

The levy is a charge on overnight accommodation and would cost £0.75 (75 pence) per person per night for those staying at campsites and hostels, excluding people under 18.

For those staying in all other types of visitor accommodation it would cost £1.30 per person per night.