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Are toilets set to go down the pan?
Public toilets across East Northamptonshire could be closed if town councils are unable to cover the costs of them.
East Northamptonshire Council is considering passing the responsibility of running the toilets on to each individual town council in the area.
Mark Lovell, executive director at East Northamptonshire Council, said: "We are consulting with town councils on the possibility of them taking over the public toilets in the district, as these are very local facilities which it would make sense for them to manage.
"The outcome of that consultation will be considered at a future policy and resources committee meeting, but the council has made no decision to close them."
The seven public toilets are in Rushden, Higham Ferrers, Irthlingborough, Raunds, Thrapston and Oundle.
The district council's overall annual budget for running them is 164,700.
Town councillors have not yet made a decision on what they would do if they had to take over the cost of the toilets, but many fear it could mean increasing council tax to keep them open.
Raunds mayor Peter Wathen said: "We are not at all happy with the costs being passed to the town council. We would be looking to see if there is some extra funding from the district council to meet the costs."
Oundle councillor Don Campbell said: "We don't want to foot the bill for what is happening. We feel it would be a lot of money and we would have to put the precept up."
No decisions have yet been made by Higham Ferrers councillors, but they would be looking for help from the district council to finance and keep the toilets open.
Rushden town councillors have said they are appalled by the decision but there are ongoing negotiations and the hope is the toilets will not be shut.
Irthlingborough councillors have said they would take on the toilets.
Thrapston Council was unavailable for comment.
Residents have reacted angrily at the possibility of toilets closing or council tax going up.
David Nicholson, 70, of Highfield Road, Thrapston, said: "East Northamptonshire Council shouldn't be taking away our public services and if they do this the toilets will be shut and people will lose their jobs."
David Wills, of Oundle, said: "Public toilets are important. In a town like Oundle which is a tourist area people will come and park in the town to visit the shops which keeps businesses going and it is important to have public conveniences."
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Sunday 27 May 2012
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