VAB12 Aled Edwards

Senedd Cymru | Welsh Parliament

Y Pwyllgor Cyllid | Finance Committee

Bil Llety Ymwelwyr (Cofrestr ac Ardoll) Etc. (Cymru) | Visitor Accommodation (Register and Levy) Etc. (Wales) Bill

Ymateb gan Aled Edwards | Evidence from Aled Edwards

General principles

1. What are your views on the general principles of the Bill and the need for legislation to deliver the Welsh Government’s stated policy objective, which is to:

§ ensure a more even share of costs to fund local services and infrastructure that benefit visitors between resident populations and visitors;

§ provide local authorities with the ability to generate additional revenue that can be invested back into local services and infrastructure to support tourism;

§ support the Welsh Government’s ambitions for sustainable tourism?

(We would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 500 words).

I agree in principle, but am very worried about the implementation by LA's. Gwynedd, my LA, has a dire record of providing infrastructure to support tourism and visits, with several bad decisions being made recent history (e.g. Glyn Rhonwy ski / bike development despite a huge amount of support and funding being in place, Gilfach Ddu paddlesport development, again with support and funding in place, the campervan arosfan scheme which is not working, Electric mountain site Llanberis bike track turned down in favour of an empty field...the list goes on). I simply don't trust that they have the imagination, foresight or initiative to administer such a scheme, with their staff almost entirely drawn from locals who have been selected for the job on their ability to speak Welsh over their ability to do the job well.

The Bill’s implementation

The Regulatory Impact Assessment is set out in Part 2 of the Explanatory Memorandum (https://senedd.wales/media/g5ipwvwh/pri-ld16812-em-e.pdf). This includes the Welsh Government’s assessments of the financial and other impacts of the Bill and its implementation.

2. Are there any potential barriers to the implementation of the Bill’s provisions? If so, what are they, and are they adequately taken into account in the Bill and accompanying Explanatory Memorandum and Regulatory Impact Assessment?

(We would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 500 words).

Lack of ambition in LA's to get the scheme to work. Will need huge oversight from WAG to ensure they adhere to scheme and use money wisely.

3. Are any unintended consequences likely to arise from the Bill?

(We would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 500 words).

A rise in cost to school residential trips - especially to the already stretched Outdoor Education centres in the area (including Urdd centres). If costs are going to be applied to these centres, then would need to be at the lowest end. Or, as is the case on the continent in many regions, students on a school visit are exempt.

4. What are your views on the Welsh Government’s assessment of the financial and other impacts of the Bill?

(We would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 500 words).

I think the money raised would be great for visitor infrastructure, as long as it is spent wisely. I feel that any initial discomfort by accommodation providers such as campsites, hostels, hotels and B&B's will be shortlived.

Subordinate legislation

The powers to make subordinate legislation are set out in Part 1: Chapter 5 of the Explanatory Memorandum (https://senedd.wales/media/g5ipwvwh/pri-ld16812-em-e.pdf).

The Welsh Government has also set out its statement of policy intent for subordinate legislation (https://business.senedd.wales/documents/s155951/Statement%20of%20Policy%20Intent.pdf).

5. What are your views on the balance between the information contained on the face of the Bill and what is left to subordinate legislation? Are the powers for Welsh Ministers to make subordinate legislation appropriate?

(We would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 500 words).

no response

Other considerations

6. Do you have any views on matters related to the quality of the legislation?

(We would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 500 words).

no response

7. On 26 November, the Cabinet Secretary wrote to the Finance Committee with some indicative additional registration and enforcement provisions (https://business.senedd.wales/documents/s155952/Letter%20from%20the%20Cabinet%20Secretary%20for%20Finance%20and%20Welsh%20Language%20Indicative%20Stage%202%20amendments%20that%20.pdf) he intends to bring forward at Stage 2 of the legislative process (https://senedd.wales/NAfW%20Documents/Assembly%20Business%20section%20documents/Guide%20to%20the%20Legislative%20Process/Guide_to_the_Legislative_Process-eng.pdf).

Do you have any views on the indicative additional registration and enforcement provisions the Welsh Government intends to bring forward at Stage 2?

(We would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 500 words).

no response

8. Are there any other issues that you would like to raise about the Bill, the accompanying Explanatory Memorandum and Regulatory Impact Assessment, or any related matters?

(We would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 500 words).

no further response