David Skaith the mayor of North Yorkshire visited the High Corn Mill on Tuesday 3rd of February. Hosted by EK at the mill in their fabulous venue, alongside Skipton BID.
Mr Skaith and Mayoral powers is formulating a plan to potentially role out a new tourism tax, which could raise it is estimated 50million pound a year. Which could be used to fund and deliver projects better and quicker than the slow inefficient systems council prescribe to. Hoping to give greater funds to actually deliver projects without vast sums of money being swallowed up by eyewatering administrative costs.
The mayor is currently consulting with various groups such as BIDs' across the vast North Yorkshire council area. With what looks like an aim to start delivering in 2028.
It is clear that consultations will kick up the same questions of concern,
will the money be spent in my area
Will we be listed to
Who can access the funds
How will funds be collected
Who will pay the new tourism tax
Just an example of what will be asked, there will obviously other more specific questions related to various geographical locations across a vast area.
A specific issue for Skipton will be if Skipton is raising funds through the new fund will the money come back to Skipton? This a burning question as there is definite feeling Skipton is a cash cow delivering business rates and taxation to central government which then is distributed essentially to other areas. Because of this Skipton BID was introduced to have a fund to deliver for Skipton Specific project. This being 2% of business rates. Imagin what could be done with the other 98%. Unfortunately, life isn't that simple and the majority of that 98% being swallowed up by welfare and what I suspect is eyewatering administrative costs of the Civil service.
Let's hope David the Mayor can stay open minded and not be cowed by the powers that be. Bringing in something that could be beneficial to Skipton, on reflection it should have a good chance as systems are already in place to access this Tourism fund. If it should come to be. Or will it just be another Tax Skiptonites feel is imposed for other areas to benefit !