Richmond council leader Gareth Roberts has condemned the Government’s proposed tourist tax, warning that money raised in the borough should not all go to City Hall.
The Liberal Democrat councillor’s comments come after London Mayor Sadiq Khan welcomed plans to introduce a tourist tax in London, while councils face increasingly stretched budgets.
Cllr Roberts said: “For all the money to be taken out of Richmond and grabbed by the Mayor of London to add to his already swollen coffers, leaving nothing for the borough, is simply wrong.
“We love being a beacon for tourists, but welcome as our visitors are, they come with a price tag.”
The calls have been echoed by several South West London councils, including Wandsworth and Lambeth, which have also voiced support for a portion of the funds raised in their areas being returned to borough councils.
London Councils, a cross-council body representing the capital’s 33 boroughs, has called for half the revenue raised from the levy to go to local authorities.
A statement said: “London Councils is proposing that, by default, local authorities are able to retain at least 50% of revenues collected in their area.
“It would provide assurance to hotels, businesses and the hospitality industry that the introduction of an overnight visitor levy would directly support and benefit them.”
Conservative-led Wandsworth Council, which recently made headlines for doubling council tax, has also called directly for 50% of funds raised from the tax to go to the borough council.
In a post by the council on neighbourhood website Nextdoor said: “We’re asking for a fair deal, a 50/50 share between London Boroughs and the Mayor.”
In a statement, London Mayor Sadiq Khan said: “I will work closely with London’s boroughs, accommodation providers, hospitality and tourism businesses and other partners, before final decisions are taken.”
The plans are not expected to come into effect until 2028.
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