Seven public toilets that were facing closure will now remain open thanks to innovative partnership working between Gwynedd Council, community councils and other local groups.
Also, 28 Gwynedd businesses have joined a new initiative which sees their toilet facilities being made available for use by members of the public. It is expected that more local businesses will sign up to this innovative solution that benefits both the public and the business itself in the near future.
Following these changes, Gwynedd will continue to provide the second highest number of public toilets of all Welsh councils, and indeed with the Assembly Government’s Public Conveniences Grant Scheme added to this, Gwynedd now offers a larger provision of public toilets than it did before the changes were introduced.
Gwynedd Council’s Senior Environment Portfolio Leader, Councillor Gareth Roberts said:
“The fact that the Council must deliver £16 million of savings over the next three years means that we have no option but to find new and creative ways of delivering some services that would otherwise inevitably have to be cut.
“I am delighted that by working together we have been able to keep open a number of public toilets that we would otherwise have had to close, and I would like to thank everybody who has worked with us to deliver a variety of positive solutions.
“Reducing the amount we spend on public toilets is unfortunately only the tip of the iceberg. But the fact that so many people have been willing to work with us to find sustainable alternatives is encouraging and will hopefully provide us with a model for the future.”
Any business or community group interested in the Public Conveniences Grant Scheme should contact Gwynedd Council’s Highways and Municipal Department for an information pack and application form. Visit the website www.gwynedd.gov.uk, telephone (01766) 771000 or e-mail [email protected]
