UPDATE: MOTION APPROVED -Full Council tomorrow includes a debate on a 'visitor levy' on Brent hotels

 

UPDATE: The Labour motion on a visitor tax was passed with Liberal Democrat support. The Conservatives voted against. There was some discussion with Cllr Kelcher wanting a lower overnight rate of £1-2 so as not to discourage visitors.

 

There are some people who say Brent Council can't tell the difference between its bottom and the knobbly bit on the bend of its arm. I couldn't possibly comment, but the notice on its 'landing' webpage https://www.brent.gov.uk/ could be cited as evidence and  the mistake is repeated on the 'Council meetings and decision making' page,

Tomorrow's meeting is in fact Full Council and there are a number of important  items that members of the public may miss if they are misled by the notice.

The items include questions from the public and Brent Youth Parliament members to Cabinet members  on debt collection practices when residents are facing the cost of living crisis, and council seeking the voices of young peope on crime and safety.

There are petitions on the exorbitant rent increase faced by the East Lane Theatre, against modification or discharge of the restrictive covenant on Barham Park, and against the Nablus Twinning arrangement. The latter does not mention that the lead petitioner, Iain Collier, is the Reform candidate for Brent West.

 There are the usual party group motions. The Tories line up with Reform on Nablus,  Lib Dems twist Brent Counci's current 'Don't Mess with Brent' environment campaign with a motion entitled 'Stop Messing Up Brent' and Labour move one on encouraging schools to restrict use of smart phones and another on protecting the rights of delivery riders and the safety of pedestrians.

 The penultimate item is the non-cabinet members debate with a motion moved by Cllr Mary Mitchell. I declare an interest as I have previously advocated a Brent Visitor Tax to raise funds to mitigate the impact of Wembley Stadium and Arena visitors on local residents:

 Motion for Non-Cabinet Member debate

Empowering Brent with Visitor Levy Powers to Support Our
Communities

This Council notes:

 The growing number of successful events taking place in Wembley, which are a vital part of Brent’s local economy, attracting visitors from across the country and around the world, supporting jobs (1,800 Brent jobs from the Stadium),
businesses and hospitality across our borough.

 Each additional non-sporting event at Wembley Stadium generates an estimated £4.35 million through direct local expenditure. With Oasis, Coldplay and other acts arriving this summer, Wembley Park will be in the spotlight as a world-class cultural destination.

 Hotel occupancy is high across Wembley during events at the Stadium or the
Arena and capacity is estimated at nearly 1,800 rooms.

 Aside from the significant economic benefits, major events in Wembley
understandably bring additional pressures on residents, including disruption,
waste, congestion, noise and increased demand on council services.

 Brent Council is working proactively to mitigate these challenges, partnering with Wembley Stadium to ensure tickets are shared in the local community, giving residents access to events happening on their doorstep.

 Glasgow City Council has been granted powers to introduce a modest Visitor
Levy (on average £4.83 per night), which could generate £16m in additional
income from overnight stays, with the funds ringfenced for services such as street
sweeping, parks, infrastructure, and environmental enforcement.

This Council also notes:

 The recommendation made by the London Assembly, that the Mayor of London should ‘advocate for London’s live music industry to introduce a voluntary levy on arena and stadium tickets to support grassroots music venues in London.’

This Council believes:

 Brent should be empowered by government with powers to introduce a visitor
levy on hotel and short-stay accommodation within the borough.

 The revenue generated should be invested into transforming Brent’s public realm making Brent greener through investment in street trees and green infrastructure, enhanced street cleaning, and additional waste enforcement officers.

 A visitor levy would ensure those who benefit from Brent’s world-class facilities also contribute a small amount towards maintaining high-quality services and a cleaner, greener borough.

 This is a progressive, and practical measure utilised across European cities and
could supplement council funding at a time when local authorities like Brent face
sustained financial pressures.

This Council therefore resolves to:

(1) Write to the Secretary of State, calling for London boroughs, including Brent to be granted the powers to introduce a discretionary visitor levy on overnight stays.

(2) Write to the Mayor of London to support the London Assembly call for a voluntary levy on stadium and arena tickets to fund grassroots cultural opportunities.

(3) Continue to work with partners including Quintain, the FA, event organisers,
businesses and residents to ensure that the benefits of Wembley’s success are
shared fairly, and that residents' voices shape our work to establish a Visitors
Levy here in Brent.

(4) Work with London Councils, the GLA, and the LGA to build cross-party support for an amendment to the English Devolution Bill to grant the powers necessary to all local authorities to introduce Visitors Levies where supported.

Cllr Mary Mitchell
Welsh Harp ward

 

The full agenda for the meeting can be found HERE (fingers crossed!)

WEBCAST 6PM