Charges for all public loos under new council plan

Entry fees for all public toilets across North Yorkshire could be introduced as a means to address a budget shortfall.

Currently, 65 of 93 public toilets run by North Yorkshire Council are free to use, with 90% of the service's income generated from sites where fees have remained unchanged for two decades.

The council said it would consider how to deliver the service in the future, which could include the introduction of an entry fee of either 40p or 50p and increasing ticket prices across off-street parking.

The council's executive member for managing our environment, Richard Foster, said if approved, the recommendations would lead to "major improvements" across the service.

According to officials, North Yorkshire Council operates more public toilets than any other council in the UK.

The service is said to be facing a recurring budget shortfall and a number of suggestions will be brought before councillors on 3 February.

These will include proposals to ensure that by 2030 all sites are "in a good or excellent condition" and increasing ticket prices across all off-street parking to fund the operation of toilets close to council-run car parks.

Alternative funding streams such as honesty boxes and app-based donations will also be suggested, as well as closing sites which are in a poor condition or have low footfall.

Improvements will also be suggested, including water bottle refill stations, baby changing facilities and sanitary waste disposal options in male and female spaces.

Officers have previously consulted with groups on matters such as access for disabled users, which would continue to be free under the plans through the national Radar key scheme, and the expansion of changing places facilities for users with profound needs.

Foster, who has responsibility for public conveniences, said: "While the provision of public toilets is a discretionary service rather than a statutory requirement, their importance to both those who live in North Yorkshire and those who come here to visit cannot be underestimated.

"That said, it is important they operate economically and that is why we are proposing introducing, among other aspects, a consistent entry fee across the county."

The local authority said it hoped more services could be operated through parish or town councils in the future.

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