Llanfyllin toilets to stay open at a cost
Public toilets in a town on the Shropshire border will remain open – even if it means an increase in the amount residents have to pay to the town council.
Powys County Council is to close all the public toilets across the region as part of its budget cuts. But Llanfyllin Town Council has confirmed it will keep the toilets in its town open, and repair the drains, which will probably mean a significant increase in the precept on the council tax.
Although Llanfyllin Town Council voted to take over the loos, there has been confusion over whether drainage problems meant they can stay open.
Today town and county councillor, Peter Lewis, said there was no fear of the toilets closing.
"Llanfyllin Town Council at its last meeting made clear its commitment to keep the town's toilets open. However, members were concerned that the state of the drains, which need regular unblocking at an unsustainable cost may, in the end, prove to be an insurmountable obstacle. At last week's County Council meeting, I asked Councillor Barry Thomas, the relevant portfolio holder for help but he reconfirmed that there will be no money from Powys to make the toilets fit for purpose."
"To prevent closure at the end of December Llanfyllin Town Council will now have to take responsibility for toilets, faulty drains and all. It's possible local contractors may be able to repair the drains at a far less cost than Powys County Council and the Town Clerk has been asked to contact them."
He said the repairs – if the cost is not too high – and subsequent running costs could be met for the first 18 months.
"We'll have to dig deep into the town's reserves and cancel other projects such as the town signs and other tourism linked items. But toilets are a vital part of attracting tourists to our town. Other councillors, like myself, recognise that, in the end, a significant increase in the precept, collected through the council tax, will be necessary."
