FOI Request - Visit Moray Speyside Levy and Licences
Request 101003715346
I would like to know
1. how many properties have been licensed for Visit Moray Speyside,
2. whether they are all subject to the levy, and
3. see a list of the licenses so that I can reassure myself that all properties are treated equally.
Can I ask, specifically,
4. if individual holiday lodges (aka Static Caravans) are subject to the license and/or the VMS levy.
Response 26-02-2025
1. Property licences issued can be found on our public registers on our webpage. This information is therefore exempt under section 25 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, information otherwise accessible. For ease of reference please find a link to the web page here: http://www.moray.gov.uk/moray_standard/page_103079.html
2. The Visit Moray Speyside renewal ballot, scheduled for 20 March 2025, uses four criteria to determine whether a business is liable for the tourism BID levy:
• The business operates in one of the following sectors: activity & outdoor Centre; bed & breakfast; bowling alley; brewery/distillery with visitor centre or shop; bunkhouse; café; caravan park; caravan site; caravan and camping site; castle and visitor centre; castle; chalets; exclusive use venue; golf course, golf club and clubhouse; guest house; heritage centre; holiday complex; hostel; hotel; information centre; inn or restaurant with rooms; licensed premises; museum/gallery; pub; restaurant; self-catering accommodation; serviced apartments; tourist shop; visitor centre/visitor attraction; youth hostel.
• The business premises are in Moray Speyside, the designated geographical area covered by Visit Moray Speyside.
• The business has a non-domestic rateable value of £2,000 or above.
• The business is eligible to pay non-domestic rates, as detailed on Moray Council Valuation Roll by the local Assessor (even if exempt).
Retail businesses are only included in Visit Moray Speyside if identified as ‘tourist shop’ through non-domestic rates. Food and Drink businesses (cafés, pubs, restaurants) are included if they are licensed premises.
The Business Proposal and Business Plan submitted by Visit Moray Speyside, as required under Regulation 4(2) of the Business Improvement Districts (Scotland) Regulations 2007, provides details of who is liable for the levy. This can be viewed on the following webpage:
https://moray.cmis.uk.com/moray/Document.ashx?czJKcaeAi5tUFL1DTL2UE4zNRBcoShgo=k0EGie%2fTlDihwCzmylk6o%2bfNN5%2bTidmVHkccsaudikYQFHzOoBbzYw%3d%3d&rUzwRPf%2bZ3zd4E7Ikn8Lyw%3d%3d=pwRE6AGJFLDNlh225F5QMaQWCtPHwdhUfCZ%2fLUQzgA2uL5jNRG4jdQ%3d%3d&mCTIbCubSFfXsDGW9IXnlg%3d%3d=hFflUdN3100%3d&kCx1AnS9%2fpWZQ40DXFvdEw%3d%3d=hFflUdN3100%3d&uJovDxwdjMPoYv%2bAJvYtyA%3d%3d=ctNJFf55vVA%3d&FgPlIEJYlotS%2bYGoBi5olA%3d%3d=NHdURQburHA%3d&d9Qjj0ag1Pd993jsyOJqFvmyB7X0CSQK=ctNJFf55vVA%3d&WGewmoAfeNR9xqBux0r1Q8Za60lavYmz=ctNJFf55vVA%3d&WGewmoAfeNQ16B2MHuCpMRKZMwaG1PaO=ctNJFf55vVA%3d
3. As per 1.
4. The policy for list of property types requiring a licence and also those that are exempt from Short-term Let Licence requirements is published and available on the Scottish Government website. This information is therefore exempt under section 25 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, information otherwise accessible. For ease of reference please find a link to the web page here: https://www.mygov.scot/short-term-let-licences
5. As per 2