North Yorkshire councillors have highlighted strong opposition from local businesses regarding a proposed tourism tax favoured by Mayor David Skaith.
North Yorkshire councillors have been discussing the possibility of a new tourism tax.
The proposed levy is favoured by the region's mayor, David Skaith, but has sparked significant concern among the local business community.
North Yorkshire Council's Executive Member for Open to Business, Councillor Mark Crane, has spoken out about the apprehension felt by many enterprises across the county.
He emphasised that local businesses are strongly opposed to the introduction of the tax and that the council is keen to ensure the mayor is fully aware of these reservations:
"I have to say across North Yorkshire, I hear a lot of businesses who are very concerned about the introduction of such a tax and we are wanting to make the mayor aware that there is a strong opposition from businesses who would be hit about the introduction of the tax. That being said, it's his decision and his alone to do it, and if he does it, we understand that some of that money will go to the LVEP, which I sit on and officers from this council sit on and we would have some control on how it would be spent."
The Local Visitor Economy Partnership, or LVEP, would potentially receive a portion of the funds generated by the levy. This arrangement would give the council some influence over how the revenue is utilised to support the region.
Despite this potential benefit, Councillor Crane noted that the ultimate authority to implement the tax lies solely with Mayor Skaith, as the opportunity aligns with the current government agenda.
He also revealed that relations between himself and the mayor have been strained recently over comments regarding the mayor's focus on York versus the wider North Yorkshire region:
"I'm happy to speak to the mayor, he seems less happy to speak to me at the moment to be honest with you. He took umbrage at the fact I said he was more the mayor of York than North Yorkshire. Let's be clear, it's in the government agenda, the opportunity for it coming in goes to the mayor, we are not able to stop him. I'm sure that the the whole Council does understand, but to be clear, the decision will not be one of ours, it will be the mayor's alone to take."
The ongoing discussions highlight the debate between regional leaders and the business community over how best to fund the local visitor economy without placing undue burdens on enterprises.
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