Oxfordshire’s Green Party has raised concerns that the introduction of a visitor levy cannot proceed in the city without the establishment of an elected regional mayor.
Decision-making authority over such charges will be transferred exclusively to regional mayoral posts and foundation strategic authorities.
Discussions among local authorities regarding the creation of a Thames Valley Mayoral Strategic Authority, which would encompass Oxfordshire and surrounding regions, have experienced recent setbacks.
The Greens contend that devolution arrangements currently exclude extensive areas of England, with Oxfordshire falling entirely outside these provisions.
The party has expressed criticism regarding what it describes as disorganised management of Local Government Reorganisation by the central Labour administration and the Liberal Democrat-controlled county council’s rejection of an opportunity to establish a foundation strategic authority.
Lois Muddiman, leader of the Oxford City Green group, welcomed the advancement of powers to implement a visitor levy while expressing frustration that Oxford residents would be unable to benefit from such a charge due to the absence of a regional mayor.
She highlighted the apparent contradiction of a city receiving over seven million annual visitors, with corresponding pressure on services including waste management and public realm maintenance, being denied these fiscal powers.
The party maintains that decisions of this nature should be made at the most local level possible and intends to engage with both Members of Parliament representing Oxford to advocate for government action ensuring the city is not overlooked in the rollout of these new powers.
The Greens have urged the national administration to address with appropriate seriousness the need to extend these powers across all English regions and have called upon the secretary of state to delegate decision-making authority regarding Oxford to Oxford City Council.
No definitive timeline has been established for Oxford’s acquisition of a regional mayor, and proposals for a Thames Valley mayoral authority remain postponed.
According to government proposals intended to grant mayors enhanced economic influence within their respective areas, local leaders will determine the overnight charge as a percentage of accommodation costs rather than a fixed amount, which ministers contend will safeguard budget-conscious travellers.
The levy will carry no maximum rate, although government representatives indicate that mayors are unlikely to set excessively high charges, with most suggesting an amount of only a few percent.
The ten Labour regional mayors have undertaken to maintain any rate at below five percent, describing the levy as requiring a reasonable approach and preventing significant disparities across different regions.
Hospitality and tourism businesses have cautioned that the absence of a cap would significantly impact domestic holidaymakers, while ministers maintain that the policy will enable local leaders to increase investment in their areas.
Mayors will retain discretion over allocation of revenue generated by the charge, which will apply to international visitors and British tourists undertaking domestic breaks alike, rather than funds being directed to the Treasury.