Public Toilets, Station Road, Bovey Tracey |
Public Toilets, Station Road, Bovey Tracey
At a recent meeting of the Town Council’s Finance Committee, members considered the future management arrangements for the public toilets at the Riverside Community Centre, which due to the escalating costs in operation (utility costs and fuel/salary charges for the contractor), included the possibility of implementing charging to use the toilets in the future.
These toilets are proving extremely popular throughout the year and since opening have been the subject of vandalism and some anti-social behaviour. Members of the Council are keen that this facility remains clean, safe and well maintained as it contributes towards the town’s image. Councils are not required to provide public toilets and any expenditure by councils must be covered from residential Council Tax.
In summary, there are two options shortlisted:
Option A
Install a paddlegate access system in the narrowed corridor area. The paddlegate will restrict access and can only be accessed by making payment via a cashless reader. Charges per person to visit, likely to be 20 to 30p per visit'. This charge would be required by all users (e.g. residents and visitors alike).
Option B
No charge for all users of the Public Toilets which will remain FREE. This option will require an increase to the Town Council’s revenue budget due to escalating running costs. As the Town Council only has very limited income streams, the likely impact will be an increase to the Council Tax charge for all residents/households in the Bovey Parish. The Council already has a budget towards some of the running costs, however it’s likely that any increase attributed towards the public toilets that may be considered by the Council could result in an individual household Council Tax increase of approximately £2.50 - £3.00 yearly for this service.
Following consideration of a number of management options, members would like to seek the views of residents on their preferred course of action and kindly request that you complete and submit this very short survey.
The survey will close at midday on Tuesday 25th October 2022.