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13
Oct
Town council urged to explore taking over Harrogate’s public toilets
A senior Conservative councillor has called on Harrogate Town Council to consider taking over the management of public toilets in the town.
Cllr Michael Harrison, who represents Saltergate on the town council, said there was an opportunity for the authority to “investigate options” to take over or invest in public conveniences.
North Yorkshire Council currently manages 93 public toilets in the county, including in Harrogate.
However, it intends to charge for some of them as part of an investment plan in the loss-making service. It may also hand over responsibility for some of the facilities to town and parish councils.
Cllr Michael Harrison pictured at a Harrogate Town Council full council meeting.
Cllr Harrison, who also sits on North Yorkshire Council’s executive, said that the town council should consider taking on the service in Harrogate.
He told a meeting of the full council last week that it is “exactly the kind of thing” a council of Harrogate’s size should be doing.
Cllr Harrison said:
Maybe there is a gap on our action plan. While North Yorkshire is in the process of developing an investment plan for public toilets across the county, there is lots of town and parish councils who either provide their own or considered taking over responsibility for toilets.
Perhaps that is something that should really be on our action plan, because it is exactly the kind of thing a large town council like Harrogate to be involved in.
Cllr Harrison added that the council should look to explore options for public toilets in the Harrogate area.
He said:
I do think it is a gap on our action plan around public toilet provision in the town. I think we should investigate options for investment and potential management in public conveniences in the town area.
It comes as North Yorkshire Council generated controversy this year when it agreed to introduce a 40p fee to use public toilets.
The council, which is not legally obliged to provide toilets, said it expected to lose £260,000 providing the service in 2025/26 financial year.
Stray Ponds public toilets, with the changing rooms to the rear.
The move prompted Cllr Keane Duncan, the Conservative member for Norton, to launch a 'free to pee' campaign, which called on the council to keep public conveniences free of charge.
However, Cllr Richard Foster, executive councillor for managing our environment at the council, dismissed the call to keep toilet use free.
He said:
I have heard about the free to pee campaign. It would be great, but there is a cost. Unfortunately, there is not a free pee.
Somebody pays for it somewhere. The cleaning fee, the water rates, the electricity and the consumables that go into toilets have a cost.
As part of the policy adopted in April, those toilets that are currently free to use will soon become charged-for facilities with an entry fee of 40p.
Some of the council’s public conveniences that are in poor condition, have low usage or are already near other loos could be closed.
However, any changes will be done in consultation with town and parish councils who may wish to take over the operation of such facilities.
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