Supplementary memorandum by the South
West of England Regional Development Agency (SWRDA) (LGR 29(a))
I am writing following the Agency's appearance
before the Committee on the 11 May.
Since the Committee, we have been made aware
of a number of media reports in relation to our policy on the
issue of a Tourist Tax. I can confirm that our position remains
exactly as was expressed in paragraph 14 of our written submission
to the committee:
"the SWRDA would not support the imposition
of a specific tourist tax, given the likely impact on a key regional
industry that already faces significant challenges in maintaining
its competitiveness."
This position was re-iterated by the Agency
at the beginning of our evidence. However, in the spirit of the
enquiry, we were pleased to respond to questions on the position
adopted by the Local Government Association on a range of local
fiscal tools, including a tourist tax. We hope that the committee
will appreciate that views expressed in this context—that
any proposals could not be ruled out either indefinitely or before
proposals had been fully developed— should not be interpreted
as Agency support for a tourist tax.
Nick Lewis
Director of Corporate Services
May 2004
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