Latest news with #NorthEastSomersetCouncil
ITV News
6 days ago
- Business
- ITV News
'Cities are being short changed': Council leader urges government for a tourism tax in Bath
Plans to introduce a tourism tax in Bath have moved a step closer after councillors voted unanimously in support of it. Councillors at Bath and North East Somerset Council voted in favour of being able to introduce a tourism tax during a meeting on 17 July. The vote was in support of the principle of a tax, not on actually introducing one or how it would work. But what is a tourism tax and why is it being voted on? What is a tourism tax? A tourism tax is a levy on short-stay accommodation in a local authority area. Also known as a 'transient visitor levy', a tax of this kind gives local councils the chance to charge people visiting the area. The tax has been introduced in cities with significant tourism economies across the world including Amsterdam, Barcelona, and Vancouver. It's usually charge per occupied bed or room per night which can change depending on the accommodation providers and time of year. What are councillors in Bath and North East Somerset voting on? Councils in England do not yet have the power to introduce such a measure but authorities in Scotland do after the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Act 2024 was passed last year. Bath and North East Somerset Council leader, Kevin Guy, has written to local government secretary Angela Rayner urging the government to give England's historic cities the same power. Mr Guy (Bathavon North, Liberal Democrat) said in a council meeting: 'We are not acting along and all we are doing is asking is for the government to give us a fair deal because, at the moment, English cities are being short changed.' Bath has six million visitors per year, bringing in half a billion pounds in local economic benefit and supporting 8,000 jobs, proposer of the motion Michelle Doherty (Newbridge, Liberal Democrat) told the meeting. She said: 'This motion is not about discouraging tourism. 'We really value our visitors and we want them to continue coming but like many European cities, we think visitors should make a small contribution towards the cost of keeping our city clean and safe and welcoming." She added: 'This isn't about creating a new huge revenue stream — although a modest charge per night could bring in a couple of million pounds per year for the council which would make a real difference given the pressures on our budgets.' How would a tourism tax work? A tourism tax is expected to take the form of an additional charge on overnight stays paid by the visitor to the local council. The letter from Mr Guy and the leader of Cambridge City Council to the government spoke of 'a tourist levy associated with overnight stays.' The letter states: 'The revenue generated could be reinvested into the community, improving facilities and services for both residents and visitors.' Mr Guy said: 'Any levy should apply fairly across all types of accommodation, including short-term lets such as Airbnb.' Some supporters say it would help fund infrastructure and local services in tourist hotspots, including the upkeep of footpaths, public toilets, and waste collections. Critics argue the charge could put visitors off and add pressure to businesses already dealing with costs and staffing challenges. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government said: "There are currently no plans to introduce a tourism tax in England. "Places can already choose to introduce a levy on overnight stays through working with their local tourism sector using the Accommodation Business Improvement District model."
BBC News
25-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
No firm date for reopening of UK's oldest lido Cleveland Pools
The trustees of a restored lido that was closed due to flood damage say they "remain committed" to reopening the facility as soon as Pools in Bath reopened for the first time in 40 years in September 2023, but it closed again in January BBC has discovered through a Freedom of Information request that the trustees asked Bath and North East Somerset Council to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) over the future of the lido has been given grants of more than £1.1m by the council towards the overall restoration. The Cleveland Pools Trust spent 20 years raising £9.3m to restore the Georgian reopened after several setbacks and millions of pounds of public money being spent, but closed again four months later, after flooding caused "extensive" damage. No reopening date has yet been set. The BBC has been told the council has been asking for updates from the trust for in a statement, the trustees said: "The trust has made it clear that the ongoing investigations are complex and require expert and specialist input."We have previously reported about the extensive flood damage to the plant and machinery required to operate the pools."The current stage of investigation concerns the apparent uplift of the main pool structure and the extent of any damage to the pool structure and its connecting pipework."We are unable to provide any further substantive update until these further investigations are complete, which we hope will be over the next few months."The statement added that the trustees had won awards for their fundraising efforts, and are all trust declined to comment on the NDA. Council leader Kevin Guy said he welcomed the update on the closure."I recognise the hard work of the trust and the dedication of the volunteers and look forward to seeing a resolution as soon as possible," he added.
BBC News
11-04-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Toad patrol helps 50,000 to breeding grounds
Charlcombe Toad Rescue A toad patrol group is celebrating after successfully helping 50,000 amphibians reach their breeding grounds over the past three decades. The Charlcombe Toad Rescue Group hopped to the aid of nearly 4,000 toads, frogs and newts as they crossed Charlcombe Lane, near Bath, during this year's migration season alone. A 0.5 mile (0.8km) stretch of the road has been closed for six weeks between February and March each year since 2003 to prevent the migrating toads from being squashed by traffic. About 50 volunteers go on patrol each night and have spent more than 600 hours a year helping amphibians make the crossing. The group has been closing the road in agreement with Bath and North East Somerset Council for more than 20 years. It is one of only four closures of its kind in the country. Chris Melbourne, who manages the collection of data for the Charlcombe Toad Rescue said it had been a "game changer" for the local amphibian population. He said reaching the milestone of helping 50,000 amphibians could not have been done without the support of nearby residents. Before the closure of Charlcombe Lane, the casualty amphibian casualty rate during mating season was 62%. In 2025, it was 3%. There was an exciting first for the rescuers in 2025, with a Great Crested Newt spotted for the first time the group's history. The volunteers take every precaution to escort the migration, using latex-free, powder-free gloves so as to avoid any chemicals from their hands harming the amphibians. The group says changes in the climate make it harder for the group to keep of the toads. Mr Melbourne said it was becoming "increasingly difficult" to predict the peak times for amphibian movements. "Closing the road for six weeks makes such a difference," he added. Follow BBC Bristol on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Toads Newts Frogs Bristol Bath and North East Somerset Council Wildlife conservation
BBC News
11-04-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Bath toad patrol group helps 50,000 to breeding grounds
A toad patrol group is celebrating after successfully helping 50,000 amphibians reach their breeding grounds over the past three Charlcombe Toad Rescue Group hopped to the aid of nearly 4,000 toads, frogs and newts as they crossed Charlcombe Lane, near Bath, during this year's migration season alone.A 0.5 mile (0.8km) stretch of the road has been closed for six weeks between February and March each year since 2003 to prevent the migrating toads from being squashed by 50 volunteers go on patrol each night and have spent more than 600 hours a year helping amphibians make the crossing. The group has been closing the road in agreement with Bath and North East Somerset Council for more than 20 years. It is one of only four closures of its kind in the country. Chris Melbourne, who manages the collection of data for the Charlcombe Toad Rescue said it had been a "game changer" for the local amphibian population. He said reaching the milestone of helping 50,000 amphibians could not have been done without the support of nearby residents. Before the closure of Charlcombe Lane, the casualty amphibian casualty rate during mating season was 62%. In 2025, it was 3%. There was an exciting first for the rescuers in 2025, with a Great Crested Newt spotted for the first time the group's history. The volunteers take every precaution to escort the migration, using latex-free, powder-free gloves so as to avoid any chemicals from their hands harming the group says changes in the climate make it harder for the group to keep of the Melbourne said it was becoming "increasingly difficult" to predict the peak times for amphibian movements."Closing the road for six weeks makes such a difference," he added.
BBC News
10-04-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Bath Recycling Centre: Locksbrook Road site to open despite objections
Plans for a recycling centre have been approved despite nearly 200 objections from residents and site in Bath is expected to open in summer 2026 and will replace an existing city centre site on Midland Road, where 176 homes are being claim the new site, at Locksbrook Road, is too small, could cause heavy traffic congestion and is at risk of leaders of Bath and North East Somerset Council, which on Wednesday approved the plans, said the centre will be "state of the art" and any negative traffic impact will be "limited". Campaigners staged a protest outside Bath's Guildhall ahead of the meeting. Following the decision, members of the Stop the Locksbrook Tip group said they were "disappointed, but entirely unsurprised".A total of 189 people lodged objections online, while five others wrote comments of support. The facility will process 20% less waste than the Midland Road centre, and will not accept DIY, electronics, hazardous waste, batteries, tyres, oil, asbestos or gas items will now need to be taken to Keynsham Recycling Centre on Pixash Lane. Speaking in favour of the plans, Chris Beaver of environmental consultancy PlanningSphere said the Midland Road site was due to close and the new location would keep recycling in Bath. Waste will not be processed at the site itself. Instead skips will be collected when they are full and taken to the Keynsham Midland Road site will remain open until Locksbrook centre is ready.
