Title

LEISURE

Thanet DC drops tourism tax plan

Thanet DC has decided to drop plans for a tourism tax because the Government has ‘no intention’ of giving the council the powers to implement one.

Thanet District Council has decided to drop plans for a tourism tax because the Government has ‘no intention' of giving the council the powers to implement one.

The tax was proposed by the tourism working group to help the council pay for the facilities used by visitors to the area.

However, at a meeting last Thursday the council decided not to adopt the proposal.

Council leader Rick Everitt said the council has ‘no powers' to implement the tax and the Government has ‘no intention' of giving the council such powers.

Instead, the council decided to introduce additional council taxes on second homes and long-term empty properties from April 2025.

LEISURE

A pivotal moment for mayors

By Ann McGauran | 25 February 2026

The recent devolution Bill and the Government’s consultation on visitor levies are seen as positive steps on the road to fiscal devolution, but does it go fa...

LEISURE

Cross-party LGA fails to agree tourism tax line

By Joe Lepper | 24 February 2026

The Local Government Association (LGA) has failed to agree on whether to back plans to give English strategic mayors the power to introduce a tourism tax.

LEISURE

A close look at Far East governance

By Dan Peters | 19 February 2026

Japan’s city mayors are pushing to become independent of the main regional level of government, while financial decentralisation is being boosted through tou...

LEISURE

The art of the deal

By Cllr Stephen Alambritis | 12 February 2026

Stephen Alambritis says local authorities need to think commercially to thrive – and he explains what one London council’s £186m deal proves.

Popular articles by William Eichler