B&NES Council has released, apparently under pressure from the Conservatives, details of their intentions to spend a penny or two maintaining fewer public conveniences while selling off or giving away others.
Gullock Tyning, Midsomer Norton, is one of the loos that the Council wants to get rid of. It serves the town's skateboard park where B&NES Council has, in recent years, spent approaching £1 million on behalf of governent agencies and the former Norton Radstock Town Council, creating a high quality youth facility.
Cllr David Dixon (Lib-Dem, Oldfield), Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, said: "We want to provide the right standard of modern and well-maintained public conveniences that meet the needs of both residents and visitors. By reducing the number of public toilets, we can invest some of the money raised from selling the remainder into improving standards of hygiene and cleanliness for the people who use them.
"We've considered locations serving green spaces, parks and transport facilities as a priority ahead of shopping precincts, where in many cases, alternative facilities can be found. Many locations we are proposing to sell are close to either new, existing, or future conveniences. Our plans are subject to change and full consultation."
But B&NES apears to be making decisions in the dark. A spokesman for the Council doubted whether or not B&NES had any idea which loos were used most and didn't think finding out would be good value for money.
The unwanted conveniences will either be sold or come under another arrangement, such as a transfer to a resident group or Parish Council. These include in addition to Gullock Tyning:
The Island Midsomer Norton where there are new facilities at The Hollies. Residents say they are further away and will not open such convenient hours;
Greenlands Road – Peasedown St John;
Ashton Way – Keynsham replacements will be provided in the regeneration.
B&NES says it would particularly listen to proposals from communities, local shops and groups to take on the running of public loos.