VAB51 Margaret Kinlay

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 Margaret Kinlay | Evidence from Margaret Kinlay

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).

"More even" is a very general phrase. I would like to see an analysis of the benefits of tourism to the Pembrokeshire economy versus the costs before a solution is proposed.

I would support the ability to generate additional revenue but with caveats - obviously, it depends on the proposals put forward and whether I believe that their modus operandi will benefit Wales and Pembrokeshire.

I support sustainable tourism but again, that depends on their proposed choices and whether, in my opinion, they are choosing the right methods

 

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).

Owners of holiday accommodation businesses are currently facing the new burden of 182 days + or a huge increase in costs due to council tax.  This will create a further burden.  I am not entirely opposed to a levy but it must be done with forethought and be evidence based.

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).

I read that Pembrokeshire tourism decreased significantly in 2024 (20%?) - I would like to know whether that is the case.   Certainly I have only maintained high levels of occupancy by cutting prices at a time when costs have risen significantly - and I have only been able to do this because I have built my business over the last fifteen years.  Holiday accommodation is being sold - but locals are still unable to buy them because mortgages are hard to obtain when income is uncertain.    I already know 3 women who have lost their jobs as a result of holiday accommodation being sold.  I worry that this will increase and that this will have a knock on effect on local businesses, restaurants and shops.

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 am concerned that the figures are prejudiced by the consequences of Covid - I think we need a few more years to obtain accurate contemporary data.

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).

I think the power to make subordinate legislation is important - in fact, I think it is essential to keep the situation under review and to make changes quickly if the legislation has the unintended consequences I fear

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 - my concerns are about the content itself

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).

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).

A very important concern I have is that in order to meet the 180+ day requirement I have reduced costs in order to attract smaller parties to the six bedroom house.  If the levy assumes that the house has full occupancy (10) then that will negate my discount and provide an IMPOSSIBLE challenge.