The Visitor Levy must not be squandered - Ed Thornley

This has been a long time coming, its origins far outdating my time on the council.

Ed Thornley, Liberal Democrat councillor for the Drum Brae/Gyle ward

The consultation has been extensive, with public meetings and consultation, engagement with community councils, stakeholders and public bodies.

We know that it is not universally popular, but the feedback I have received from residents has been one of warm welcome – if it is spent in the right way. Yet, there are those who would see it fail.

It is proposed that a portion of the Visitor Levy income is used to sustain budgets within Cleansing, Parks and Events.

The rules on this are clear, anything that the Visitor Levy would be spent on must have been through the Visitor Levy Forum.

New suggestions now would delay the process, delay the benefit and risk us not getting the money the council needs to improve our city as those who oppose the levy will use that as an opportunity.

This is especially important if there are new changes that could be questioned in the legislation.

That opens the council up to judicial review and yet more public money spent defending the council rather than improving our city.

The Lib Dem group have worked hard behind the scenes to ensure the benefits of the levy will be felt across the city, which is exactly right as visitors enjoy the entire city rather than simply the Old and New Towns.

The proposals as they stand will make real, tangible change for the better in Edinburgh.

So, my plea to my colleagues is simple - don’t change this again now, don’t risk it all. Vote this through.