A LOCAL MSP has urged West Dunbartonshire Council to commit to using new powers to deliver a tourist levy to raise funds for vital local services.

Ross Greer believes the Scottish Government’s Transient Visitor Levy plans would give West Dunbartonshire the ability to add an overnight accommodation levy to provide additional funds and support for local services.

The new powers - which Mr Greer says was secured by the Scottish Greens in the last session of the Scottish Parliament - were set to be introduced prior to the Covid-19 pandemic but were delayed due to the outbreak.

Mr Greer said: "I’m pleased that the Scottish Greens were able to secure this new power for councils and I’m confident that MSPs will agree to the proposals as they move through Parliament.

"The next step is for councils like West Dunbartonshire to commit to making best use of the levy to invest in local communities and services.

“It’s fantastic that so many people visit places like Loch Lomond every year, but it is only fair to ask them to make a small contribution to support the community and the services they use while they are visiting. 

“Overnight accommodation levies are common in towns and cities around Europe and the world.

"They will help us to build a fairer, greener and better future for West Dunbartonshire.”

Tourist levies are common across Europe and are used to raise funds for services in areas where high levels of tourism create extra costs for councils, such as waste collection, the provision of public toilets and road/pavement maintenance.

The potential income could go a long way to helping West Dunbartonshire Council to plug a financial shortfall, which in March sat at just under £15 million and saw jobs and services axed by councillors.