Brighton council set to introduce public toilet charges

Under proposals set to be discussed next week, charging would be introduced at sites after they have been refurbished, as well as at Shelter Hall and Western Pier Arches, “to help reduce the budget shortfall and to supplement the current public toilet budget”.

Payment for use of the public toilets would be by card only, costing 75p at seafront sites and 50p at others.

A document outlining proposed changes to the city’s public toilets says that at a “very rough estimate”, around £120,000 could be made by introducing charging at several sites across the city, including Saltdean Undercliff, Station Road and Kings Esplanade.

Income generated is likely to be used to support the maintenance and staffing of toilet sites in future years.

The report also said that research is being undertaken to consider options for those without a credit or debit card, such as pre-paid cards for the use of public toilets in the city.

“Payment will be by card only due to the costs involved in cash collection and the risk of anti-social behaviour if cash was contained in the paddle gates,” the report said.

“Payment by card only provides a more financially sustainable and safe model.”

It comes as the council plans to cut the city’s public toilet budget by almost a third, with 18 sites set for closure in April.

Even with plans to implement charging, the report states: “This is not sufficient to prevent at least ten toilet sites from closing from April 1, even if the £300,000 proposed saving is not approved by budget council.”

Councillor Robert Nemeth outside the Kings Esplanade public toilets, one of the sites which could have charges introduced (Image: Conservatives)

Councillors have slammed the plans as “ill-thought through” for a lack of consultation with residents.

Robert Nemeth, deputy leader of the Conservative group and councillor for Wish ward, said that the decision to bring the public toilet service in-house has caused “vast cost and hassle”.

He said: “Doing so has had numerous very predictable unintended consequences, such as increased costs and unreliability.

“This is very easy to rectify, given that we have local elections coming up. If anybody is unhappy about toilets closing, then don’t vote for it.”

Toilets at Saltdean Park are among those set to close under the council's proposals (Image: Bridget Fishleigh)

Councillor Bridget Fishleigh, who represents the Rottingdean Coastal ward, said that local residents have expressed outrage at the proposals.

She said that a toilet block in Saltdean Park, which is slated for closure, was repainted by a group of local residents led by her “because we appreciate them so much”.

Cllr Fishleigh said: “The toilet blocks on Rottingdean and Ovingdean Undercliff are next to popular cafes, which are leased from the council.

“Neither of the proprietors knew about the closures until I told them as soon as I heard the news.”

Councillor Steve Davis, who co-chairs the council’s environment, transport and sustainability committee, said that the council had “no choice but to make savings on the public toilet budget” due to a £20 million funding shortfall.

He said: “These are not decisions we are happy to make. We do understand the strength of feeling about any proposed closures.

“Officers have been working hard to pursue future options to ensure toilet provision within our parks and public areas, including community ownership.”

The proposals will be discussed in a meeting of the environment, transport and sustainability committee next Tuesday.