We are seeking a secondee from a Mayoral Strategic Authority to support the design and implementation of new powers for Mayors to introduce a visitor levy in their area.
You will join a small, supportive and inclusive branch within the Business Rates and Devolved Taxes team, with colleagues based in both Darlington and London. The policy is jointly owned by HMT and MHCLG and we work closely together in a virtual team.
At Budget, the Government announced that Mayors – and potentially other local leaders – will be given powers to introduce a visitor levy and launched a public consultation on how those powers should work. Over the next six months, the team will:
analyse consultation responses and wider evidence
provide advice and recommendations to ministers on the detailed design of the levy
engage with industry, Mayoral / Strategic Authorities and constituent local authorities on delivery and administration
translate policy decisions into clear legal instructions for legislation
The secondee will play a key role in this work, bringing practical and policy insight to this policy challenge from a Mayoral Strategic Authority perspective.
Key tasks and responsibilities include:
Understand the outcomes of the consultation and use this to inform recommendations on the design of visitor levy powers.
Support the team to develop the detailed framework for the levy powers.
Work with MHCLG, other government departments, MSAs and constituent local authorities to shape practical proposals for local administration, collection and enforcement of the levy.
Help identify and address operational, data, systems and accountability issues from a local government perspective.
Work with MHCLG and HMT colleagues to help coordinate the project, ensuring policy decisions are taken through the right governance routes and on time.
Support the preparation of high quality ministerial advice and contribute to the development of legal instructions, ensuring they reflect agreed policy and are sequenced in a logical and deliverable order.
Supporting ministers through the passage of legislation. The immediate focus of the work is the Visitor Levy, but the broader team works on tax devolution and there may be opportunities for the secondee to work in this area more generally as well, dependent on ministerial priorities.
Essential skills and/or experience
Strong analytical and judgement skills, with the ability to synthesise complex information, weigh trade offs and make clear, evidence based recommendations.
Ability to build and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of partners (elected members, officials, industry, and delivery bodies).
Strong organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise, manage competing deadlines and respond to short term pressures while maintaining progress on longer term objectives.
Clear and concise written and oral communication skills, including drafting for senior audiences.
Desirable skills and/or experience
Experience of revenue raising processes in local government (e.g. council tax, business rates, fees and charges, or local levies).
Understanding of Mayoral / Strategic Authority budget, assurance and governance frameworks (e.g. spending priorities, ringfenced funds, scrutiny and audit).
How to apply
This secondment opportunity is being offered as part of the GovXchange programme. Full details about the programme are available on the GovXchange website.
We continuously match suitable individuals to opportunities as part of the programme. Therefore, if you are interested in being considered for this particular role, we recommend completing the expression of interest form as soon as possible.
Should this specific role be filled before you apply, your details will be added to the GovXchange database to be considered for future opportunities available as part of the programme. You will be contacted if a role is identified that you are a suitable match for.
If you have any questions, please contact secondmentexpertise@cabinetoffice.gov.uk.
