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Category: Regulations

Joint Letter on Behalf of the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce and the Edinburgh Tourism Action Group (ETAG) re Proposed Short-Term Let Legislation

Posted on by Fiona Campbell

Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce and Edinburgh Tourism Action Group (ETAG) have jointly issued a letter to City of Edinburgh Council.

In it, they call for “a level of balance and fairness … to protect Edinburgh’s long established and responsible short term let providers and the necessary diversity they bring to the city’s accommodation offering. Specifically:

  • Responsible short term let providers don’t only make a significant contribution to our critical visitor economy, but our culture and festival sectors by providing affordable and flexible accommodation for artists and performers who take part in the city’s 11 festivals annually.
  • They also provide much needed short term accommodation to people relocating to the city to work or study here, as they transition to more permanent situations.
  • They are used by large corporate businesses who are placing staff in the city on a short term basis, as a cost effective alternative to hotel accommodation.
  • Film companies who need to accommodate their staff whilst working from the new film studios in the city use short term lets.
  • They are also used by local families who need temporary accommodation whilst they carry out insurance or renovation work, families who wish to holiday affordably in the city and would not stay in a hotel, and visiting academics who often travel with their families.

Read the letter: ECC-ETAG Short Term Let Letter April 22

Self-Caterers Launch First-Ever Local Election Manifesto

Posted on by Melanie Allen

The Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers has launched its first-ever local government election manifesto.

Self-Catering: Local, Reliable, Sustainable: The ASSC’s Manifesto for Scotland’s Local Government Elections sets out the association’s four key priorities for Scottish self-catering as it recovers from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the manifesto, self-caterers are urging local politicians to commit to minimising the burden of short-term let licensing by working closely with small business, monitoring the impact of the policy, and pledging not to impose additional conditions on already hard-pressed businesses.

The manifesto also calls for an evidence-based approach to the use of short-term let control areas and for such decision-making not to be based on crude hearsay and anecdote.

Additionally, the ASSC is asking those who find themselves in power to reject the introduction of local tourism levies, should the power to do so flow to them from Holyrood.

Finally, Scotland’s self-caterers are imploring local councils to promote self-catering as a sustainable tourism option in their areas, drawing particular attention to the role that the industry has in helping the environment, and local economies, flourish across Scotland.

In launching Self-Catering: Local, Reliable, Sustainable, the ASSC hopes to encourage a step-change in thinking around short-term lets, cut through the often-inaccurate rhetoric surrounding what self-caterers do, and help local governments across Scotland understand and appreciate that there is a bright future for tourism in their areas, with self-catering playing a vital role.

ASSC_2022_manifesto

Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers Chief Executive, Fiona Campbell, said:

“I am thrilled to launch our manifesto ahead of these vital local elections.

“Hardworking and dedicated self-caterers across Scotland have had a really tough time throughout the pandemic and we need the help of our local politicians to get us back to doing what we do best.

“I would urge everyone standing in these elections to consider our moderate, sensible, and evidence-backed proposals and to think about the benefits that they will have for the communities they wish to represent.”

ENDS

ASSC Announces Working Relationships with Brodies LLP and Houghton Planning

Posted on by Fiona Campbell

The Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers welcomes Brodies LLP and Houghton Planning Limited as Partners for Business.

The Partners for Business scheme aims to secure a collaborative relationship between the ASSC and leading experts in industry, who provide a valuable contribution to the work of the ASSC and the support of its members.

Agreements will see the leading UK law firm and established planning consultancy provide the trade body for Scottish self-catering with advice on short-term let planning law and practice.

The new deal will complement the ASSC’s other partnership with Gilson Gray LLP, who provide legal advice and counsel on all matters relating to short-term let licensing.

Brodies LLP offers clients specialist legal planning advice, and has previously assisted the ASSC with legal opinion on planning matters.

Houghton Planning has indicated that they can help ASSC members navigate the Scottish planning system by offering practical advice on how to prepare and submit a Planning Application, or Certificate of Lawfulness. They will also explain the differences between the two processes, and can offer advice on which is likely to be the most appropriate for individual members to pursue.

In the wake of the implementation of the Scottish Government’s short-term let regulation, the ASSC, and its network of partners including Brodies LLP and Houghton Planning Limited, has reaffirmed its commitment to helping ASSC members comply with all laws and rules that they are required to.

In addition, the ASSC is also focused on making sure that its members, who represent the core of Scotland’s professional self-catering sector, have the legal guidance, advice, and support that they need to do their jobs.

Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers Chief Executive, Fiona Campbell, said:

“I’m delighted that the ASSC is partnering with the experts at Brodies and Houghton Planning.

“At a time in which self-catering is facing yet more onerous and counterproductive regulations, it will reassure our members to know that they’ve got robust professional advice behind them.

“As a trade body, we’re dedicated to ensuring that our members have everything they need to keep their businesses thriving, whether that is advice, counsel,  representation, or anything else.”