Councillors vote against shutting public toilets

Toilets in Dawlish are among those saved from closure

Public toilets in Devon that had been recommended for closure will remain open following a council vote.

Teignbridge District Council was considering plans to close 13 public toilets in seaside resorts such as Dawlish and villages on Dartmoor to save £250,000 a year, but will now keep them open until April 2027, when a new unitary authority is expected to take over running of all services.

Councillors voted to try to transfer the running of public toilets to parish councils in the meantime.

However, town and parish council representatives said this would either not be possible or mean large increases to their council tax bills.

The district council decided, where towns and parishes cannot operate the toilets, its head of assets should consult with other interested parties "on the proviso that they continue to be provided as public conveniences for the foreseeable future".

It also decided resources should be devoted to achieving agreement with towns and parishes "to enable precepts to be increased if necessary".

Clarification 19 August: This article was updated to make clear that where the town councils cannot operate the toilets the district council decided they should consult other parties to provide toilets for the foreseeable future.