Transfer for public toilets in costs drive

Hambleton District Council says it is looking to transfer public convenience provision to local parish and town councils as part of its plans to cut budgets, and some toilets in Osmotherley, Great Ayton and Stokesley Parish Council could be operated independently as early as April.

Plans are also in progress to set up a volunteer-run tourist information point in Thirsk’s public toilets.

Hambleton councillors have already agreed to convert the town’s market place toilets into a retail unit which will then be leased to the volunteers.

A council start up grant would be provided for the centre to be run along the same lines as the volunteer led Easingwold, Northallerton, Bedale and Great Ayton tourism centres

The original volunteers planning to take the public toilets over, all resigned last month, but the plans are now back on track.

Coun Neville Huxtable, leader of the district council, said: “Consultation has shown that a tourist point in Thirsk is very much in demand – and that the existing toilet block is the prime location. It is vital that this happens for Thirsk and the district so we are delighted that after a minor hiccup we are back on track.”

Talks are ongoing with parish and town councils in Swainby, Easingwold, Bedale and Osmotherley to operate toilets independently with the district council saying it will provide an initial grant to help with running costs.

Ron Kirk, Cabinet member for resources, said: “Provision of public toilets is not a statutory requirement of this council,”

“By transferring them to local service providers we can help balance the district council’s budgets by reducing costs but also maintain the provision for local people and visitors. That could be through parish and town councils or local businesses – the important thing is to maintain the service.”