Conservative councillors in Somerset have recently faced criticism for allegedly misleading residents about a proposed “holiday tax” targeting local businesses. This notion stems from ongoing government consultations considering whether local authorities could impose additional charges on overnight stays to fund community projects.
The Conservative opposition on Somerset Council tabled a motion during the full council meeting in Bridgwater on May 20, addressing concerns of businesses seeking clarity on the council’s position regarding the tax. However, the motion was withdrawn after the ruling Liberal Democrat administration significantly altered its wording. The administration warned that spreading misinformation could harm both Somerset’s economy and its broader reputation.
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The government’s consultation on visitor levies ran from November 26, 2025, to February 18, 2026. The proposal aimed to grant “mayoral powers” to certain strategic authorities—powers which Somerset Council currently does not possess—to levy charges on overnight accommodations including hotels, B&Bs, guest-houses, and holiday lets. The intention is to align England with Scotland, Wales, and various European countries where such levies already exist, using the revenue to support local initiatives.
To date, the government has not announced any plans to enact this proposal into law. Notably, the King’s Speech on May 13 made no mention of the levy or related legislation.
Somerset Council leader Bill Revans clarified before the council debate, emphasizing that the council lacks the authority to impose such a tax. “There are no powers that this council has to levy a holiday tax,” said Revans. He also explained that any future powers would likely be granted to strategic mayoral authorities, a status Somerset Council currently does not hold.
Council rules require motions to address issues for which the council has direct responsibility, such as local services or infrastructure. While motions on broader topics like climate change are acceptable, they must propose tangible council actions, such as engaging with government representatives.
Despite this, Monitoring Officer Alyn Jones noted that discussing the issue in principle is possible, even if formal powers are absent.
Somerset Council is exploring combined authority status alongside Dorset and Wiltshire councils, but this has not progressed in recent devolution talks, leaving the timeline uncertain.
The original Conservative motion called on the council to:
- Publicly oppose any holiday tax introduction in Somerset.
- Urge Somerset’s MPs to support the local visitor economy.
- Collaborate with local businesses and tourism bodies to promote Somerset as an affordable and competitive destination.
Councillor Bob Filmer, who introduced the motion, underscored the concerns of holiday-related businesses in his area and across Somerset. He highlighted the potential extra charges—up to 5% on overnight stays—that could burden holidaymakers and threaten thousands of jobs by 2030. Many businesses already face rising government taxes, labor costs, and overheads, making any new tax particularly daunting.
The Liberal Democrat amendment replaced the original motion entirely, emphasizing working collaboratively with neighboring councils and tourism organizations to assess tourism’s infrastructure impacts. It reaffirmed that Somerset currently has no legal authority to introduce a visitor levy and cautioned against inaccurate speculation that could damage the local economy. The amendment encouraged all councillors to avoid misleading statements harmful to businesses and investment.
Due to these changes, Councillor Filmer withdrew the motion, preventing a full debate.
Following the meeting, Filmer criticized the amendment as a “wrecking amendment” designed to undermine the original intent and reject its call for clear opposition to the tax.
In summary, Somerset Council currently lacks the legal framework to impose a holiday or visitor tax. The government is still consulting on the issue, and any powers to levy such a tax would likely be granted only to mayoral combined authorities, which Somerset is not. Meanwhile, local politicians continue to navigate how best to support the county’s vital tourism industry without causing alarm or confusion.