Argyll and Bute Votes to Consult on Control Areas and Visitor Levy
The Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers (ASSC) notes the decisions taken by Argyll and Bute Council this week to proceed with public consultations on both a proposed Short-Term Let Control Area and a revised Visitor Levy scheme.
The Council agreed that officers should undertake a formal consultation on proposals for a Control Area covering Mull & Iona, Coll & Tiree, Islay, Jura & Colonsay, and Lorn and the Inner Isles, before returning to Members with final recommendations.
Councillors also approved a 12-week consultation on a revised Visitor Levy scheme based on a fixed-rate charging model, with consultation expected to commence in July.
While these decisions mean that both proposals continue to progress, it is important to recognise what has, and has not, been decided.
Neither a Control Area nor a Visitor Levy has been approved.
Instead, the Council has agreed to consult.
For the ASSC, the key question is therefore not whether consultation takes place. Consultation is an important and necessary part of the democratic process.
The more important question is whether the consultation process will be evidence-based, objective-driven and genuinely open-minded.
Consultation Must Test Assumptions, Not Confirm Them
Argyll and Bute, like many parts of Scotland, faces genuine housing challenges. Equally, local authorities are under increasing pressure to identify new sources of revenue to support infrastructure and public services.
However, identifying a challenge does not automatically validate every proposed solution.
The purpose of consultation should not be to seek endorsement for a predetermined outcome. It should be to test whether the proposed intervention is capable of delivering the objectives it is intended to achieve.
In the case of a Short-Term Let Control Area, the fundamental question is straightforward:
What evidence demonstrates that a Control Area will deliver meaningful housing benefits in Argyll and Bute?
Existing Control Areas already operate elsewhere in Scotland. Before introducing additional planning restrictions, it is reasonable to ask what measurable housing outcomes have been achieved and whether those outcomes are capable of being replicated locally.
Similarly, in relation to the Visitor Levy, the key question is not whether a levy can generate revenue.
It can.
The question is whether the overall benefits outweigh the wider economic costs, particularly in a rural and island authority where tourism is one of the area’s foundational economic sectors.
Outcomes Matter
The ASSC has consistently argued that policy interventions should be assessed not by their existence, but by their outcomes.
For both consultations, three questions should remain central:
Without clear answers to these questions, there is a risk that process becomes a substitute for proof.
A Critical Opportunity
The forthcoming consultations provide an important opportunity for businesses, residents, communities and stakeholders to contribute evidence and help shape future policy.
Argyll and Bute’s visitor economy supports jobs, businesses and communities across mainland, rural and island locations. Decisions affecting that economy should therefore be informed by robust evidence, clear objectives and a transparent assessment of both benefits and costs.
The ASSC looks forward to engaging constructively with the consultation process and will continue to advocate for policy that is evidence-led, proportionate and focused on delivering meaningful outcomes for communities, businesses and visitors alike.