Last updated at 16:16, Saturday, 30 January 2010

A PUBLIC consultation is under way to determine the future of public toilets in South Lakeland.

South Lakeland District Council’s cabinet agreed last year to pay a consulting firm £24,453 to carry out the detailed talks.

SLDC commissioned the consultation because it is seeking to save a significant amount of the £790,000 a year it currently pays to maintain its 39 toilet blocks.

The authority said some of these toilets are rarely used, and others are not as accessible as they should be for all sections of the community. A number also require urgent upgrading to meet modern standards.

SLDC said it wants to continue to provide toilets in key areas, but must consider whether funding in other areas can continue.

Members of the public can have their say until April 4.

An SLDC statement said: “There are alternative ways in which toilets can be provided and SLDC wants to work creatively with local people to reach a solution.

“Alternatives include introducing paid toilets, handing over therunning of some toilets to town and parish councils and private companies and introducing community schemes.

“To reach a solution together, we want to hear what you think.”

People can participate in the consultation by completing the online questionnaire at www.southlakeland.gov.uk.

Four public exhibitions have been planned where people can view information and speak with a consultant.

The first will take place in Grange at St Paul’s Parish Hall on Monday March 1 between 3pm and 6.30pm.

The second will take place in Ambleside at the Parish Centre on Tuesday, March 2 at the same time.

The third will take place in Ulverston at the Coronation Hall on Wednesday March 3 between 3pm and 7.30pm. And the fourth will take place in Bowness in the Rayrigg Rooms on Friday March 5 between 3pm and 7.30pm.

Last year, SLDC came under fire from opposition councillors who claimed the £24,453 the authority forked out for the consultation could have been spent more wisely.It followed a £9,800 fee that SLDC paid for an initial probe into the state of its 44 toilets earlier last year. That report recommended 15 public toilets should be closed completely.

Councillor Brenda Woof, SLDC portfolio holder for environment and sustainability, defended the spend and said it had gone through a “fully documented tendering process”, which the opposition party had seen.

A spokesman for Copeland Borough Council said the council owns and maintains eight toilet blocks. They are in St Bees, Egremont, Cleator Moor and Whitehaven. Millom Town Council are responsible for toilets in the town. The spokesman added there are no plans to alter these arrangements in the next year.

Barrow Borough Council leader, Councillor Jack Richardson, told the Evening Mail public that toilets had not been part of the council’s latest budget talks and arrangements would remain the same in the coming financial year.

First published at 12:56, Wednesday, 27 January 2010
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk