Inverness could use part of any future visitor levy to improve the city’s appearance and public spaces under proposals put forward by Highland councillor Dr Michael Gregson.

The Inverness Central councillor believes that, if a tourist tax is introduced following consultation with the hospitality sector, a share of the revenue should be invested directly in making the Highland capital cleaner, greener and more welcoming for residents and visitors alike.

Dr Gregson says improving the city’s environment should become a key priority for any visitor levy, arguing that visible improvements would benefit both tourism and the local community.

He has highlighted a range of issues that he believes need attention, including overflowing bins, litter, fly tipping, overgrown verges, weeds growing through pavements and a lack of public toilets.

The councillor also believes more gull proof bins, increased street cleaning, better waste collection at busy times, stronger enforcement and additional fines for littering should form part of any investment programme.

Dr Michael Gregson said:

“If the Council goes ahead with a Visitor Levy and it should only do so after close consultation with the Hospitality sector then a proportion of the income should go to improving the city’s appearance and environment.

“The ‘to do’ list writes itself after the briefest inspection of our neglected streets: overflowing bins, litter blown against fences and hedges, flytipping, overgrown verges, weeds growing through pavement.

“And what we don’t have enough of: public toilets, gull proof bins, fines and enforcement, and more frequent street cleaning and waste collection at specific peak times and locations.

“Some £1 million would be required on top of existing budgets, to address weedkilling and grasscutting alone.

“It’s no wonder existing budgets can’t cope: out of every £1 spent, only 11p goes on Property & Housing, 6p on Infrastructure & Environment, and 5p on Communities & Place.

“So it’s no wonder there’s a shortfall in the services people see around them.

“Behind it all lies a 26 to 27 settlement for Local Authorities which is well below what COSLA requested.

“I am proposing a meaningful focus for the Visitor Levy, which could be a game changer for residents’ and visitors’ experience of the Highland Capital.

“Across the Region, we need services and infrastructure to support Tourism and Hospitality workers.

“This has to include Housing.

“But in our great city, we have to see less litter, fewer weeds and overgrown pavements, and certainly more public toilets.

“We all stand to gain.”

Highland Council is continuing work on proposals for a Visitor Levy following the introduction of legislation allowing local authorities to consider introducing a tourist tax, with consultation expected to play a key role before any final decisions are made.