Liberal Democrats Lead Calls for a Visitor Charge in Bristol

Bristol’s Liberal Democrat councillors have paved the way for the city to adopt a visitor charge. While debating the council’s budget for the forthcoming year, the group successfully amended the budget to facilitate a feasibility study on a visitor charge for Bristol.

Mover of the amendment Cllr Jos Clark (Liberal Democrat, Brislington West) explained “The adoption of a visitor charge would allow Bristol to raise an income from visitors staying in the city. We want Bristol to have a sustainable visitor economy and a visitor charge would allow us to improve the experience of people taking advantage of the city’s rich cultural heritage.

“If introduced, we would advocate for the money raised to be spent on improving public facilities, such as toilets. Seven years ago, under the previous Labour administration, all eighteen on-street public toilets were shut. Re-opening these would be a worthy use of the money raised from such a charge. Funds could also be spent on improving signage in the city, helping people to get around easier.”

The amendment seeking to raise a new revenue stream for the cash-strapped council comes after councillors were asked to consider over £40m worth of savings options.

Cllr Andrew Brown added “There is no legal mechanism in England for local authorities to introduce a visitor charge unilaterally. However, Scotland has led the way, with Edinburgh set to introduce a charge next year, and Wales is also developing a framework for local authorities there.

“Whilst some areas in England have introduced schemes led by their hotel sectors, a better way forward for Bristol would be for a scheme that incorporated short-term lets as well as hotels and ideally included the whole of the City Region. We believe that Government should devolve the power to introduce such a charge – I am pleased that our West of England Mayor Candidate, Oli Henman, is also supporting our campaign.”

Oli Henman, the Liberal Democrat candidate for West of England Mayor, said “As a strategic authority covering two cities famous for their cultural heritage, it would be logical for the West of England Combined Authority to be able to raise funds in this way. As part of my campaign for Mayor, I will be calling on the Government to devolve power to the combined authority to allow us to raise these funds to support our public spaces and facilities and give our region an economic boost.” 

Summarising the motivation behind the amendment, Cllr Clark said “We hope that the feasibility study will outline the value that a visitor charge could bring to Bristol. It’s clear to see that Bristol must innovate to expand its income streams. Facing budget cuts each year is not the position we want to be in as councillors or as a city.

“That’s why we will be calling for the Government to level the playing field and to empower English authorities to levy visitor charges.”

The amendment received support from both the Green Party and the Labour Party, passing by 59 votes to 6.

Notes to editors:

1. Previous press releases from the Liberal Democrats regarding the budget:
   1. Local Government Finance Settlement Response from Bristol Lib Dem Councillors - Bristol Liberal Democrats
   2. Bristol Lib Dems fight against proposed library closures - Bristol Liberal Democrats
   3. Liberal Democrats Welcome City’s Draft Budget Proposals - Bristol Liberal Democrats
   4. Innovative solutions to Council’s budgetary pressures sought by Liberal Democrats - Bristol Liberal Democrats
   5. Bristol Budget Backed by Liberal Democrats - Bristol Liberal Democrats
2. Papers for the budget Full Council meeting on 25^th February: ModernGov - bristol.gov.uk
3. Information on Manchester’s visitor charge after its first year: Manchester's 'tourist tax' raises £2.8m after first year - BBC News
4. Scottish Parliament legislation: Visitor Levy (Scotland) Bill | Scottish Parliament Website
5. Edinburgh Council’s visitor levy scheme: Visitor levy for Edinburgh – The City of Edinburgh Council

Published and Promoted by Fergus Ustianowski on behalf of Oli Henman (Lib Dem) at 31 James St W, Bath BA1 2BT.