Cafes and shops in Powys urged to open toilets to the public

As public toilets close, Powys County Council is looking at ways of ensuring that people can access a convenience when they need to.

It has launched a Public Toilet Strategy and hopes to come up with a plan by the end of May next year,

Part of the Public Health Wales Act, which came into force this year, expects each county council in Wales to prepare and publish a local toilets strategy for its area.

There is no requirement for county councils to provide and maintain public toilets directly. As part of the strategy, the council will need to map out the provision in the county and then consider where any gaps are and what can be done to resolve this.

In Powys, many of the toilets have been taken over by town and community groups.

It is possible that toilet facilities in shops, pubs or restaurants could be used as public conveniences, a situation that already happens in other parts of Wales.

A spokesman for Powys CC said: “We have begun to map out provision, but we are also keen to find out residents’ views on the state of public toilets and where there may be gaps.

“There is no budget from the Welsh Government to create or improve the provision of public toilets.

“The onus is on highlighting where public toilets facilities already exist so people can find them easier.

“Where people highlight gaps it is about considering further options and collaborating with communities and businesses to meet these needs.

“Some people with long term health conditions may feel unable or reluctant to leave their homes because they fear they will not be able to find a public toilet.

“While parents/carers of young children will often need to find a toilet at short notice.”

The consultation comes to an end on Sunday, November 11, and the strategy will need to be published by May 31, 2019.

By Elgan Hearn - Local Democracy Reporter