What will happen to public toilets?

A consultation on the provision of public conveniences in the light of huge financial challenges is currently being undertaken by West Devon Borough Council.

At a recent meeting of West Devon’s hub committee, Cllr Sampsontold members the council was working hard to find savings from the public toilet budget by exploring different options for delivering the service.

‘Maintaining the right level of service in the right place in the right way is key,’ he said.

Councillors heard that consultation with the towns and parishes was paramount and it was equally important that the ward members were involved in that process. Cllr Philip Sanders, borough leader, said: ‘Our aim is to reduce the overall cost of providing public conveniences and a traditional council owned public toilet building might not always be the best way. Our aim is to work with communities to continue to offer toilets which the public have access to where they are needed.’

A number of public toilets in West Devon are already provided by local parishes through buildings which have been transferred from the borough. The council has also worked with Dartmoor Forest Parish Council to implement a pay on entry toilet scheme which has been successful. It is now considering extending this to include other toilets.

Cllr Sampson added: ‘Whilst no-one wants to see public toilets close, the running of the toilets has to be done in the most cost effective way. In some cases we find that the number of people using public toilets is reducing where alternative toilets are available, for instance near local supermarkets which have facilities.’

The committee agreed they would look to make efficiency savings of at least £50,000 from the 2019 /20 public convenience service budget. Closure of facilities would bea last resortand would not take place without a decision by the full council.