Member of the Senedd for Vale of Clwyd, Gareth Davies, has today written to both Denbighshire County Council and to Welsh Government expressing his concerns over Denbighshire County Council’s reconsideration of its Local Toilet Strategy. One of the proposals put forward in March would include the transfer in ownership of public toilets and has given rise to significant resident apprehension of widescale public toilet closures across the county.
Denbighshire County Council are currently consulting on how they approach and manage public toilet provision in Denbighshire. The consultation, available online at the authority’s website, has a closing deadline of 15th September 2024. One of the proposals considered would transfer responsibility for public toilets to town and community councils saving approximately £200,000, with no guarantee of town councils taking up the offer. The Corporate Director of Denbighshire County Council, Tony Ward, made clear that there is no statutory obligation for local authorities to provide access to public toilets.
In his letter to the council, Gareth has outlined the impact that toilet closures would have on the most vulnerable people in the county and suggests other avenues to mitigate the costs of operating public toilets. Gareth has also written to the Welsh Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Local Government, calling for more oversight and for national guidance to local authorities that would safeguard the provision of public conveniences.
Commenting on the proposals which could precipitate widespread public toilet closures, Member of the Senedd for Vale of Clwyd, Gareth Davies, said:
“I share the anxiety that many residents have at the prospect of widespread public toilet closures which would affect everyone in Denbighshire, not least the elderly and those living with disabilities.
“There are many avenues that Denbighshire County Council can explore to ensure continued access to public conveniences - which are an essential service - beyond penny-pinching proposals.
“I have written to both the Council and the Welsh Government to express my concerns over the proposals to sell-off public toilets and have called on Welsh Government to make their provision a statutory obligation.
“In the meantime, I’d urge all residents to voice their opinion in the Council’s consultation.”
