Benefits
About
News
Events
Resources
Forum
Your account

Month: March 2022

Members Business Debate: Tourism Month

Posted on by Fiona Campbell

A Members Business Debate on Tourism Month will take place in the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday 22 March. The motion to be debated can be found here:

Submitted by: Evelyn Tweed, Stirling, Scottish National Party.  
Date lodged: Tuesday, February 1, 2022

Supported by: Karen Adam, Clare Adamson, Colin Beattie, Siobhian Brown, Alexander Burnett, Stephanie Callaghan, Katy Clark, Jackie Dunbar, Pam Duncan-Glancy, Annabelle Ewing, Jim Fairlie, Murdo Fraser, Kenneth Gibson, Bill Kidd, Fulton MacGregor, Ruth Maguire, Gillian Martin, John Mason, Paul McLennan, Stuart McMillan, Marie McNair, Jenni Minto, Audrey Nicoll, Colin Smyth, Kaukab Stewart, Paul Sweeney, David Torrance
Current status: Due to be taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, March 22, 2022

That the Parliament recognises that March is Scottish Tourism Month; understands that the aim of this is to engage, connect and inspire all of Scotland’s tourism businesses and organisations, as well as celebrate what it sees as the enormous contribution that tourism makes to Scotland; considers that the sector has been severely impacted over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic; understands what it sees as the importance of tourism to a sustainable recovery, with the sector reportedly worth £11.5 billion pre-pandemic and accounting for 8.5% of jobs in Scotland; welcomes the opportunities that the industry provides to people, places, businesses and communities by, it considers, acting as a stimulus for entrepreneurialism and investment, the benefits of which it believes spread far beyond tourism; further believes tourism to be a force for good across the country, enriching the economy, communities and environment; commends what it sees as Scottish tourism’s significant contribution toward Scotland’s profile on the world stage; considers that tourism can also play an important part in promoting wellness, particularly as people emerge from long periods of isolation brought about by the pandemic, and notes the view that it will take investment, support and time for the industry to fully recover to pre-pandemic levels.

Timings are not yet confirmed, however it is currently scheduled to take place after decision time on Tuesday, which is scheduled for 5.00pm.

ASSC Submitted a Briefing to inform the Members’ Debate: ASSC Briefing on Scottish Tourism Month

City of Edinburgh Council Response to Letter from Burness Paull LLP

Posted on by Fiona Campbell

On 28th February, the ASSC sent a letter to the City of Edinburgh Council (CEC) highlighting our concerns about the proposed Planning Control Area.

Read more.

The Proposal adopted by CEC will have a devastating effect on the accommodation industry in Edinburgh – which is clearly much more diverse than simply Airbnb, despite what the Proposal suggests. It is deeply regrettable that CEC has adopted a scheme which is misconceived in its ability to address any of the underlying policy objectives. The consequences of this, intended or otherwise, is restrictive for consumers, and anti-business. And in turn, will have a devastating impact on cleaners, concierge teams, marketing agencies, and the onward supply chain.

Unfortunately the response from CEC is less than satisfactory and shows scant regard for the legitimate self-catering businesses in the Capital.

On 16th March, a letter from David Givan, Chief Planning Officer and Head of Building Standards, outlined the following:

“I understand from your email of 1 March 2022 to me that you have sent copies of your letters to the Scottish Government. Your submissions will therefore form part of their consideration in determining whether further procedure is required and ultimately whether or not to approve the proposed STL Control Area. Given the decision now rests with Scottish Government it would not be appropriate for me to respond in detail to the terms of your letters at this time.”

Letter to ASSC

On 17th March, Burness Paull followed this up with the following:

“Thank you for your email below and letter dated 16 March 2022.  We note your explanation, and while we appreciate that there may be further steps before any proposal is implemented, our client seeks reassurances and an explanation of the robustness of the decision made by CEC.  As you are aware, any later decision by the Scottish Government stands separately from any decision taken by CEC, and it is the process and decision-making of CEC that our client has particular concerns over to date.  A later decision by Scottish Government will not necessarily cure any earlier deficiencies. 

Our client therefore looks forward to your substantive response, addressing the concerns raised in our letter dated 28 February, by Monday 21 March.”

ON the afternoon of the 21st March, the reply arrived:

“Thank you for your email. I am unable to provide a further response today due to absence. I will however respond to you as soon as I can.”

The Proposal adopted by CEC will have a devastating effect on the accommodation industry in Edinburgh – which is clearly much more diverse than simply Airbnb, despite what the Proposal suggests. It is deeply regrettable that CEC has adopted a scheme which is misconceived in its ability to address any of the underlying policy objectives. The consequences of this, intended or otherwise, is restrictive for consumers, and anti-business. And in turn, will have a devastating impact on cleaners, concierge teams, marketing agencies, and the onward supply chain.

By voting to include the entire city in this anti-business and restrictive scheme, City of Edinburgh Council has shown that it does not care for the many small businesses who work hard to ensure that the capital continues to have a world-leading tourism offering.

Councillors are well aware that the real problem is a chronic lack of house-building, but it is much more expedient to scapegoat short-term rental professionals than do anything real to combat that.

 I don’t need to tell you that Edinburgh’s self-caterers play a key role in ensuring that the city maintains its position as a world-leading destination for tourists and this excessive measure threatens that with extinction.

On 11th April, Burness Paull followed up with the following:

“Can you let me know by return when we might expect a substantive response from CEC on the issues we have raised on behalf of our client?  Quite some time has passed since we have sent our original letter and follow up email below and we would have hoped for a response by now.”

We have not had a response to date.

Please don’t forget that local elections are on May 5th. This is, whether Councillors like it or not, an election issue. Don’t be shy in bringing your concerns about these regulations to their attention. It’s your last chance to help shape their decisions.

ASSC Responds to the National Planning Framework (NPF4) Consultation

Posted on by Fiona Campbell

The Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers (ASSC) welcomes the opportunity to respond to the Scottish Government’s consultation on the fourth National Planning Framework (NPF4).

We have restricted our submission to commenting on the following section – Policy: 17 Sustainable Tourism.

We would remind policymakers that the traditional self-catering sector is dealing with an increased regulatory burden – through the introduction of a mandatory licensing system as well as planning control areas – in what are already challenging circumstances for Scottish tourism. Taken collectively, we have already argued in numerous consultation responses that these policies will entail a materially negative impact for Scotland’s tourism sector, will cost jobs and livelihoods, and will reduce the number of short-term lets available without increasing housing provision.

The ASSC firmly believes that there should be no further short-term let regulations in Scotland until the cumulative effect of licensing and control areas has been fully analysed to ensure there are no unintended consequences and that they are clearly meeting policy objectives. There needs should be clear evidence that existing planning law, including control areas and local development plans, has improved access to affordable housing. To this end, the ASSC have submitted metrics to the Scottish Government’s Short-Term Let Working Group in respect of the upcoming review in Summer 2023 of short-term let licensing.

National Planning Framework 4 – ASSC response