Information on changes to public toilet provision in Conwy county.
Updates:
- October 2024:
- More toilets are going to remain open this winter following offers of sponsorship from Town and Community Councils. There are 20 public toilet facilities that will remain open across the county this winter, and a further four will open Easter to September. Public toilets in 19 Council buildings will also be available to use, as well as toilets in businesses signed up to our community toilet scheme. There are also 5 public toilets that are run by Town and Community Councils, in Penmachno, Dolwyddelan, Llanfairfechan, Llansannan and Llangernyw which are not affected by these changes.
- September 2024:
- We are in discussions with Town and Community Councils about sponsorship for toilets. Public toilets will remain open in the interim period.
- July 2024:
- Conwy County Borough Council has announced changes to public toilet services, with some toilets closing while others in Council buildings will be made available to the public.
- 21 public toilet facilities will remain open across the county, some on a seasonal basis from Easter to the first week of September. Meanwhile, toilets in 19 Council buildings will be available for everyone to use, alongside toilets in businesses in the Community Toilet Scheme.
Background:
Every Council service has to find significant financial savings for 2024-2025. As part of this, we have reviewed options for public toilets. We no longer have budget to subsidise public toilets, so we have to recoup all running costs from paid-for facilities.
We have considered how much facilities get used, where there are other toilets available, and how often facilities are vandalised.
Closing toilets is a difficult decision for us to make, and we understand people will have concerns.
The Council's Local Toilet Strategy (PDF document, 0.6MB) was approved at the Council Cabinet in November 2023. An interim progress report will be produced and published 2 years after the strategy was approved.
Questions and answers:
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There will be 24 public toilets staying open, a few on a seasonal basis. Public toilets in 19 Council buildings will also be available to use, and toilets in businesses signed up to our community toilet scheme.
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We have considered how much facilities are used and how close they are to other available public toilets. We have also looked at how often facilities are vandalised and the ongoing repair costs. We’ve also received financial support from some Town and Community Councils to keep more toilets open.
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Where we have facilities in popular tourist locations, we have made sure that toilets will be available seasonally, although this may not be all of the current facilities.
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We completed an equality impact assessment for the Local Toilet Strategy. As part of carrying out the strategy, we’re making facilities available in Council buildings and we are working to increase the number of suitable businesses signed up to the community toilet scheme. Both of these actions will enhance the public toilet service for all users - there will be more than 45 public toilets available for use.
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We are looking to introduce charging at the toilets that are staying open but are not currently charged for, but there are costs associated with this and this will take some time.
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Yes. These toilets have always been available for people using the building and this will be expanded so these toilets will be open to the public in general. There are 19 Council buildings where you can use the public toilets.
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There are 5 public toilets that are run by Town and Community Councils, these are in Penmachno, Dolwyddelan, Llanfairfechan, Llansannan and Llangernyw. We are currently receiving sponsorship from Abergele Town Council, Bay of Colwyn Town Council, Conwy Town Council, Llandudno Town Council, Llanfair TH Community Council and Trefriw Community Council towards keeping toilets open in these areas.
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Our current agreements with Town and Community Councils last until the end of March 2025. We will be discussing arrangements for the next financial year.
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A few toilets will be open from Easter to the first week of September - this will reduce the operating cost but keep the toilets open during the busiest time of year. Toilets in Council buildings and at businesses on the community toilet scheme are open throughout the year.
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We know that not everyone pays the current fee – people hold the door open for the next user to avoid the fee, but still use the facility and the supplies. Increasing the fee would not change this behaviour, and we would still lose income that is needed to provide the service.
Next: Community Toilet Scheme: information for businesses