Ruth Dare , Bangalow
I have no objection to the bed tax that is being suggested by Paul Spooner et al; in fact I think it is an excellent idea. However, to equate holiday letting to a commercial activity, as some suggest, is a long bow to draw.
Perhaps a registration fee for holiday lets is do-able as suggested by Michael Lyon but a distinction must be made between those who rent a room in their own residence (which is on average only one day/week) and those who rent the whole house. Also, renting out a room does not affect the long-term rental market at all and guests are well behaved owing to the fact the owner is present.
The other thing that seems to be forgotten is the amount of money that is brought into the Shire by people staying overnight. Tourists do bring benefits as well as problems!
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
