{"id":743434,"date":"2026-02-05T06:41:26","date_gmt":"2026-02-05T06:41:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/743434\/"},"modified":"2026-02-05T06:41:26","modified_gmt":"2026-02-05T06:41:26","slug":"edinburgh-90m-tourist-tax-spending-plans-scrutinised-by-councillors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/743434\/","title":{"rendered":"Edinburgh \u00a390m tourist tax spending plans scrutinised by councillors"},"content":{"rendered":"

THE CITY of Edinburgh Council\u2019s<\/a> spending plans for the forthcoming tourist tax,<\/a> which could free up \u00a390m for investment over three years, faced questions at at a committee meeting<\/a> yesterday.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Council officers have drawn up a detailed report<\/a> on how\u00a0to distribute\u00a0funds for the soon-to-be operational visitor levy<\/a>, which will see a 5% surcharge added on top of any overnight stays in the capital.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Infrastructure and city operations plans will see the highest amount of\u00a0additional\u00a0funding, with culture and housing also seeing significant boosts.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Finance and Resources\u00a0Committee scrutinised proposals yesterday and enquired about potentially reallocating some of the funds.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>The council has around \u00a390m in tourist tax revenue to play around with (C) Gary Campbell-Hall<\/p>\n

Plans will, however,\u00a0have to\u00a0be analysed by two other committees before a special meeting later this month, where spending arrangements will be finalised.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Councillors from across the political spectrum thanked council officers for the \u201cextraordinary amount of work\u201d which has been poured into the tourist tax plans, which have been hailed as potentially transformative for the city.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Councillor Lewis Younie of the SNP asked Interim Service Director Elin Williamson if new proposals would be possible before the council\u00a0makes a decision\u00a0on funding on 12\u00a0February.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Although Williamson, who was instrumental in drawing up the report which detailed spending plans, said that new proposals could not be considered for even provisional approval on\u00a0that date, funds could be set aside for future alternative use.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In terms of city infrastructure, Edinburgh plans to invest 55% of funds in a revamping and partial pedestrianisation of George\u00a0Street, more litter bins and public toilets, and a Portobello Promenade\u00a0masterplan.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In culture,\u00a0heritage\u00a0and events, they will invest 35% of available monies in a refurbishment of the Ross Bandstand, the Royal High School, and a project to reopen the Leith Theatre.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Councillor McKenzie, of the Scottish Greens, outlined his preference to see visitor levy revenues skimmed from other projects and placed in a \u201csustain\u201d pot, which would\u00a0assist\u00a0the council in sustaining the council\u2019s services during peak seasons.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The \u201csustain\u201d funding pot, as it has been drawn up by officers and the tourist tax advisory body, would begin with a total of just over \u00a35m, with potential to rise to \u00a36m in coming years.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In response to Councillor McKenzie\u2019s question, Williamson said: \u201cThe sustain element is one that has been hotly debated.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cMany councillors have asked that we try to secure additionality of this funding as well, so what we\u2019ve tried to achieve is a balance where we do have additionality as well as addressing existing pressures on services which have been caused by additional pressures by the successful visitor economy that we have.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWhile I\u2019m sure that\u2019s an argument that can be had, in terms of whether there are additional pressures that have been caused by visitors, it is a difficult balancing act.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Richard Lloyd-Bithell,\u00a0director of\u00a0finance at Edinburgh Council, said that there may be scope to expand the additionality element of the visitor levy, and provide more funds for sustaining Edinburgh\u2019s services.\u00a0<\/p>\n

He said: \u201cthere is certainly additional headroom for sustain should you wish to reallocate that.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

After visitor levy plans have been debated by the Culture and Communities Committee and the Housing, Homelessness, and Fair Work Committee before a final decision is made at a special meeting of the City of Edinburgh Council on 12 February.<\/p>\n

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