Agenda item

To enable Non-Cabinet Members to raise an issue of relevance to Brent for debate on which notice has been provided in accordance with Standing Order 34.

Members are asked to note that the subject identified for debate at this meeting is as follows:

Empowering Brent with Visitor Levy Powers to Support Our Communities

Please note: The motion submitted as the basis for this debate has been attached.

In accordance with Standing Order 34, the Mayor advised that the next item on the agenda was the non-cabinet member debate, with the subject chosen for consideration being “Empowering Brent with visitor levy powers to support our communities”.

Members were advised that the motion submitted as the basis for the debate had been circulated with the agenda and that the time available for the debate was 25 minutes.

The Mayor then invited Councillor Mitchell to introduce the motion which had been submitted as the basis for the Non-Cabinet Member debate.  In moving the motion, Councillor Mitchell began by highlighting its aim in seeking to unlock an additional source of income and funding which could be utilised by the Council given its location as a cultural and economic hub.  Highlighting the growing number of events taking place in Wembley, which formed a vital part of Brent’s local economy, it was pointed out these had attracted almost 2.9 million visitors during the previous year all of which supported jobs (including 1,800 Brent jobs from the Stadium), businesses and hospitality across the borough with each additional non-sporting event at Wembley Stadium estimated to generate £4.35m through direct local expenditure.

Whilst recognising the significant economic benefits, however, the additional impact these events and visitors created for local residents, including disruption, waste, congestion, noise and increased demand on council services was also recognised with the Council working proactively to mitigate these challenges in partnership with the Stadium.  In addition, however, Councillor Mitchell advised the Council was also keen to explore the potential introduction of a modest visitor levy on overnight hotel and short-stay accommodation (as had been successfully introduced elsehwere) designed to generate additional income that would be ringfenced to support investment in Brent’s public realm in areas such as street trees, green infrastructure, enhanced street cleaning, and additional waste enforcement officers.

Highlighting that studies had demonstrated the use of these type of levies did not reduce tourism, Councillor Mitchell advised that the motion moved as the basis for the debate sought to recognise the benefits associated with the introduction of a visitor levy in ensuring that those benefiting from Brent’s world-class facilities were also able to contribute a small amount towards maintaining high-quality services and a cleaner, greener borough supplementing Council funding (in a progressive and practical way) at a time when the Council was also facing sustained financial pressures.  As such, she commended the motion to members for debate.

The Mayor thanked Councillor Mitchell for introducing the motion and then opened up the debate for contributions from other members.

Opening the debate in support of the motion, Councillor Knight highlighted the way in which she felt such a levy would enhance the local economy whilst also celebrating the borough’s rich cultural history, pointing out its importance in not just raising revenue but also empowering the community and ensuring that the benefits of world class events could be felt by all residents.  In celebrating Brent’s diverse history, reference was made to exhibitions at both Kingsbury and Willesden Green Library as a showcase, with support also expressed for the London Assembly campaign in seeking a voluntary levy on arena and stadium tickets to support grassroots music venues and the potential value of a modest visitor levy also recognised in terms of being able to support the development of further cultural opportunities and in honouring the legacy of Brent.

As a further contribution, Councillor Clinton advised that the Liberal Democrats Group would be supporting the motion subject to assurance regarding the necessary financial prudence and due diligence, recognising they had also been campaigning on the same issue and with support also expressed for the long awaited introduction of a music venue levy.  In seeking action to progress the proposal, Councillor Clinton felt the Council should also consider writing to the Prime Minister as well as Mayor for London and Stadium seeking support, including the introduction of a voluntary levy on arena and stadium tickets to support local venues and organisations such as East Lane Theatre Club.

Also speaking in support of the motion, Councillor Nerva thanked Councillor Mitchell for highlighting the benefits of the visitor levy which he pointed out would benefit not just the immediate area surrounding the Stadium complex in Wembley but also areas across the rest of the borough, recognising the rise of Brent as a hospitality destination similar to other cities in and outside of the UK and as a borough capable of delivering such a scheme.

In welcoming the motion and subject of the debate, Councillor Kelcher also spoke in support highlighting his previous engagement in the idea as part of a wider Tourist Strategy.  Whilst recognising the benefits identified, it was pointed out that the level of any levy would need to be carefully managed, with Brent’s strength in terms of the assets available for tourists to enjoy highlighted.  In expressing his support for the motion, Councillor Kelcher hoped all members would recognise the benefit for Brent residents, as a means of balancing the demand placed on service following events taking place with the approach already successfully delivered in many other cities across the UK and other parts of the world.

In reiterating the support expressed by the Liberal Democrats Group for the proposed introduction of a levy Councillor Lorber, also supported the need to ensure this was not seen as excessive in order to avoid any detrimental impact on the local economy and in making the current cost-of-living crisis any worse on individual households with the administrative burden on businesses in the borough also, he felt, needing to be carefully assessed.  As a final comment in support, the need was also identified to ensure the VAT implications arising from any levy were also fully considered in order to ensure this could be claimed by the Council rather than central government.

Councillor Mistry spoke next and whilst recognising the unique value and benefits delivered through the location of the Stadium complex in Brent in terms of the local economy, jobs and in placing Brent on the map also felt it important to recognise the risks associated with the proposal given its effective status as an additional local tax on visitors for any type of overnight stay, which had the potential to impact not just those visiting the area to attend events at the Stadium or other venues.  As such, the Conservative Group felt there was a need to ensure a joined up approach with the Mayor of London and London Councils to avoid the development of a confusing and uncoordinated approach to the implementation of charges across London.  In addition, further assurance was sought regarding the way in which the levy would be used to provide funds to support the Public Realm, street cleaning, waste enforcement and parks rather than being absorbed into the General Fund.  Highlighting the increasing tax burden on households across the borough, Councillor Mistry also felt consideration should be given to the opportunities available, working in partnership with organisations such as the Football Association and other local partners, to seek support in improving Brent’s public realm rather than relying on the introduction of a visitor levy.  Given the potential risks identified in terms of the impact on the local economy and uncertainty for those visiting the borough whilst also avoiding what they felt to be the real challenge in delivering value for money, Councillor Mistry advised that the Conservative Group would not therefore be supporting the motion.

In view of the remaining time available the Mayor then invited Councillor Benea (as Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Planning & Property) to summarise and close the debate.

In closing the debate, Councillor Benea thanked Councillor Mitchell for bringing forward such a timely and important motion for debate.  In recognising Brent’s pride at being able to host what were recognised as major world class events at the Stadium complex and the value generated for not only the local but also London’s economy as a result (involving the creation of significant numbers of jobs as well as additional revenue) she felt there was no doubting the way in which Brent was able to thrive from its status as one of the world’s leading event destinations.

Whilst these events were, however, recognised as boosting the economy, the pressure being placed on key local services, the public realm and residents was also acknowledged given the additional demand placed on local infrastructure.  As a result, it was felt that the introduction of a modest visitor levy would represent a practical, fair and progressive measure and approach in seeking to ensure that those who benefitted from Wembley’s global pull also helped to invest back into the boroughs neighbourhoods, whether that was keeping Brent clean and green, improving parks or boosting enforcement with the same approach already common in cities like Amsterdam, Lisbon and Venice.  Members were also reminded that cities such as Glasgow had already been given the powers to act in a similar way with the motion therefore aimed at ensuring Brent and London was not left behind.

Highlighting her commitment to pushing for the necessary powers, working on a cross party and collaborative basis with the Council’s partners, residents and Mayor of London, Councillor Benea ended by hoping all members would support the motion in seeking to secure a fair deal for Brent which would enable residents to feel the benefit of sharing their home with a world class venue and in making sure this success could be shared moving forward.

Having thanked members for their contributions, the Mayor then moved to the vote on the motion moved as the basis for the Non-Cabinet Member debate which was declared CARRIED.

It was therefore RESOLVED to approve the following motion as the outcome of the 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.