Sark £1 meal tax suggested

Plans to reform Sark's tax system are being led by Conseiller Kevin Delaney

A seasonal tax on restaurant meals in Sark has been suggested as a way of raising money for the island.

The island with a population of about 500 people is trying to work out how to pay for its public services in the future.

Introducing income or inheritance tax was previously ruled out and various ideas for tax reform have been investigated and a consultation is being held, which finishes on 11 October.

Other proposals included in the consultation include a derelict property tax, bed tax and a tax on seasonal workers.

The consultation asks residents: "Do you support a seasonal 'Plate Tax', whereby a diner in a licensed restaurant pays a small levy, say £1, for each meal they purchase?"

As part of the consultation residents have been asked if they would pay something similar to income tax if they were "guaranteed to be used for specific areas of expenditure like education, affordable housing or medical care".

Residents have been asked to rate the proposals on a scale of one to five on whether they strongly disagree or strongly agree with the suggestions.