Public toilets face closure due to funding gap

East Devon Council has redeveloped four toilet block locations but wants to refurbish more

Some public toilets in East Devon could be closed due to a £1.1m funding shortfall, a council has said.

Members of East Devon District Council are to meet later this month to discuss options for the second phase of the refurbishment of its toilets, estimated to cost more than £3m.

The authority began to phase out free public toilets, with deputy leader and portfolio holder for assets Paul Hayward announcing that budget cuts meant they wanted to maintain as many public toilets as they could.

New toilet blocks have been built in Exmouth, Seaton, Budleigh Salterton, and Honiton as part of the council's refurbishment scheme.

A report to councillors said insufficient funding was available for the next phase of the refurbishment, set to begin this winter.

A further option to be considered is to work within the available budget, which could result in the closure of some toilets or the work being revised to save money.

The final option is to put the plans on hold until local government reorganisation.

Councillors will meet to discuss the report on Tuesday, 30 September - it will then be considered by Cabinet.

A council spokesperson said more than £1m had been spent on public toilets, which have already been used more than 40,000 times. They said this investment helps support local communities and the region's tourist industry.

The four sites already upgraded as part of the £3.4m revamp are Budleigh Salterton Lime Kiln, Honiton Lace Walk, Exmouth Foxholes, and Seaton West Walk.

These include three adult changing facilities with specialist equipment like hoists and full-size changing beds at Exmouth, Budleigh Salterton, and Seaton. These were government funded.

'Most challenging sites'

Three further sites have been transferred to other organisations to operate.

These are Station Road toilets in Budleigh Salterton, King Street toilets in Honiton, and Dolphin Street toilets in Colyton.

In addition, one site had been leased and would incorporate a public toilet when redeveloped and two sites had been sold and closed, a council spokesperson said.

The authority said the first phase of the refurbishment "included the most challenging sites of the project", with £1.95m left to improve the remaining 11 sites.

The redevelopment of all 15 sites would, however, bring in an estimated income of around £200,000 a year towards running costs, the council said.

The toilets included in plans for the next phase of the refurbishment include Exmouth Magnolia Centre, Exmouth Queens Drive, Exmouth Manor Gardens, and Axminster West Street Car Park public toilets.

Other public toilets to be considered for future phases include those at Sidmouth Ham Car Park, Budleigh Salterton Cliff Path, Sidmouth Market Place, Sidmouth Connaught Gardens, Exmouth Phear Park, Beer Jubilee Gardens, and Sidmouth Triangle public toilets.