Carmarthenshire toilets review completed
Councillors in Carmarthenshire have agreed to ask town and community councils if they would like to take over public toilets in their areas.
A Task and Finish Group was set up by the committee to carry out a review of public conveniences in Carmarthenshire.
A range of options for future provision were looked at as the group concluded that the cost of operating 33 grade 2 public facilities – currently £226,000 a year – was not sustainable.
The Environment Scrutiny Committee has agreed to recommend transferring the toilets to town and community councils.
Chairman Councillor Jim Jones told members that the Task and Finish Group believed that this would improve the quality of the service and provide it in a more cost-effective way.
He said: “Over the last 10 years there has been an increasing trend for local communities to take on a greater responsibility for the delivery of local services, such as the provision of public toilets. This has been based on the principle that the ownership and delivery services at a local level can provide for a better quality of service, as the delivery of these services can then be matched with the needs and expectations of the local community.
“There is also the potential for these services to be delivered on a more cost-effective basis at a local level as it may be possible to integrate the arrangements for the delivery of the service with existing community-based services such as the management and maintenance of a community hall or playing fields.”
Although the provision of public conveniences is one of the council’s longest-established municipal services in existence, it does not have a statutory obligation to provide it.
As well as the 33 grade 2 facilities, the council’s Street Scene division also has nine Superloos, managed on behalf of the authority by Danfo. The Superloos will not be affected.
The recommendation will now go before the council’s executive board for a decision in due course.
The 33 grade 2 facilities: Carrreg Cennen Castle; Llanstephan Green; Kidwelly; Llanstephan Car Park, Pendine Main Car Park; Gorslas; Pendine Spring Well; Ammanford Co-op; Ferryside; Ammanford Central Park; Whiltland; Tumble; Cross Hands; Drefach Velindre; Newcastle Emlyn Mart Car Park; Talley; Pontweli, Llandysul; Abergorlech; Burry Port; Llanybydder Car Park; Cenarth; Llansaint; Glanaman; Alltwallis; Llanboidy; Brechfa; Cynwyl Elfed; Llanpumpsaint; Meinciau; Llanybydder (near Cross Hands Hotel); Llanddowror Meidrim; Pencader.
Task and Finish Group members: Councillor Jim Jones (chair), Councillor Peter Cooper (vice-chair), Councillor Tom Theophilus, Councillor David Jenkins and Councillor Malcolm Davies.
A Task and Finish Group was set up by the committee to carry out a review of public conveniences in Carmarthenshire.
A range of options for future provision were looked at as the group concluded that the cost of operating 33 grade 2 public facilities – currently £226,000 a year – was not sustainable.
The Environment Scrutiny Committee has agreed to recommend transferring the toilets to town and community councils.
Chairman Councillor Jim Jones told members that the Task and Finish Group believed that this would improve the quality of the service and provide it in a more cost-effective way.
He said: “Over the last 10 years there has been an increasing trend for local communities to take on a greater responsibility for the delivery of local services, such as the provision of public toilets. This has been based on the principle that the ownership and delivery services at a local level can provide for a better quality of service, as the delivery of these services can then be matched with the needs and expectations of the local community.
“There is also the potential for these services to be delivered on a more cost-effective basis at a local level as it may be possible to integrate the arrangements for the delivery of the service with existing community-based services such as the management and maintenance of a community hall or playing fields.”
Although the provision of public conveniences is one of the council’s longest-established municipal services in existence, it does not have a statutory obligation to provide it.
As well as the 33 grade 2 facilities, the council’s Street Scene division also has nine Superloos, managed on behalf of the authority by Danfo. The Superloos will not be affected.
The recommendation will now go before the council’s executive board for a decision in due course.
The 33 grade 2 facilities: Carrreg Cennen Castle; Llanstephan Green; Kidwelly; Llanstephan Car Park, Pendine Main Car Park; Gorslas; Pendine Spring Well; Ammanford Co-op; Ferryside; Ammanford Central Park; Whiltland; Tumble; Cross Hands; Drefach Velindre; Newcastle Emlyn Mart Car Park; Talley; Pontweli, Llandysul; Abergorlech; Burry Port; Llanybydder Car Park; Cenarth; Llansaint; Glanaman; Alltwallis; Llanboidy; Brechfa; Cynwyl Elfed; Llanpumpsaint; Meinciau; Llanybydder (near Cross Hands Hotel); Llanddowror Meidrim; Pencader.
Task and Finish Group members: Councillor Jim Jones (chair), Councillor Peter Cooper (vice-chair), Councillor Tom Theophilus, Councillor David Jenkins and Councillor Malcolm Davies.
Comments