Dumfries and Galloway Council leader rules out 'tourist tax'

Elaine Murray said her administration had no plans for either tax in Dumfries and Galloway

A council leader in south west Scotland has ruled out any introduction of a "tourist tax" in the region.

Elaine Murray, who leads the local authority in Dumfries and Galloway, said it was "not appropriate for our rural area".

She has also said there would be no place for a potential "parking tax" in the region either.

Neighbouring Scottish Borders Council's leader Shona Haslam has also ruled out bringing in either tax.

Ms Murray said a "tourist tax" would not be appropriate for the region

Councillors in Edinburgh voted last week in favour of a transient visitor levy (TVL) to help raise money to pay for the costs of mass tourism in the Scottish capital.

However, a new tax could not come into effect until the Scottish Parliament has passed enabling legislation, which is unlikely to happen before next year.

Dumfries and Galloway Council's Labour leader said neither it nor a workplace parking levy would be implemented in her region.

"There has been much debate by local politicians over the use of both the 'tourist tax' and workplace parking levy over the past week," she said.

"There have never been any plans, or any desire, to implement either of these in Dumfries and Galloway.

"I would ask local politicians to stand up for our region and argue for a fair funding deal for Dumfries and Galloway which ends the cuts to our council and to local services."

Consult on principles

Ms Haslam, Conservative leader at SBC, has also ruled out what she called "regressive taxes" in the region.

The council has already agreed to notify Holyrood of its opposition to a "tourist tax".

Ms Haslam said any charges for workplace parking were not appropriate for the area either.

Last month, a deal with the Scottish Greens on the Scottish government's budget bill included an agreement to "consult, in 2019, on the principles of a locally determined tourist tax, prior to introducing legislation to permit local authorities to introduce a transient visitor levy".

Proposals for a workplace parking levy were also included in the deal.

The Scottish government has stressed that both levies - should they get the green light - would be a matter for local authorities to decide.