Chichester District Council considers closing public toilets

CHICHESTER District Council’s cabinet will discuss the possible closure of public toilets at a meeting next week.

The closures are being put forward as part of a range of options which the council has said could save taxpayers a minimum of £100,000.

Changes recommended for approval are:

Closing, by March, 2014, public toilets in Cathedral Way, Chichester, Florence Park, Chichester, and Wisborough Green. Officers said the toilets could be closed because of ‘low usage’ and the ‘proximity’ of other facilities.

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Continued negotiations on the lease of council land at Selsey to the RNLI for a new lifeboat station, including a public toilet provided by the RNLI.

Transferring management of the Pound Road public toilets to West Wittering Parish Council by March, 2014.

Requesting a £20,000 annual contribution towards the running of Chichester city centre toilets from Chichester City Council.

Changing the cleaning contract, including the transfer of some maintenance functions in-house.

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The spokeswoman said the council would also save £4,000 once the new Midhurst Community and Leisure Centre is built.

John Connor, member for the environment, said: “Budget cuts are increasingly forcing difficult decisions such as these on us.

“We have carried out a detailed review, including assessing the usage and the proximity of other public conveniences.

“However, it is a tough decision to make a recommendation to close any public convenience.

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“Although there is no duty on local authorities to provide and operate public conveniences, we believe that this as an important community service.

“However, like all other services, we need to continually review what we are delivering to make sure that residents are receiving the best value for money.”

The cabinet meets at 9.30am on Tuesday, February 5, at East Pallant House Chichester.

What do you think about the closure of public toilets? Do you think it is a good area to make savings in or do you think other areas should be targeted?

You can share your views by commenting below or emailing [email protected].