Proposal gives green light for loos to close
At the council's budget-setting meeting Conservative councillors tabled a motion calling on B&NES to undertake proper community consultations on plans to close 13 public toilets before any final decision is taken on which will be closed.
Unfortunately, for reasons of their own, this request was blocked by Lib Dem, Labour and Independent councillors.
Of course the council has to make savings, but in areas such as Weston where we have a busy High Street, the public conveniences are highly valued and residents want them to stay.
This strength of feeling was evidenced by the 300 local people who signed the petition I organised against the plans.
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These signatures were collected in a very short space of time, and I know that many other local residents, not to mention traders in the village, agree with our calls.
What was agreed at the council meeting was a proposal by the 'Independent' councillors for the council to 'secure alternative facilities prior to the closing of the existing public toilets', suggesting these be in the new Tesco development.
Well this proposal is simply defeatist, and effectively gives the green light for existing facilities to close. It also completely ignores issues of access, whether a local store will agree to the plan, and what will happen to the closed down toilets.
We do not want a derelict, untended building left on our High Street.
Luckily, there is still a year between now and when the Council plans to close these toilets. In this time, I will continue to stand alongside local traders and residents in trying to persuade B&NES to see sense.
Councillor Colin Barrett Cons, Weston Bath
2 Comments
by capndave
Friday, March 08 2013, 8:15PM
“Might have been an idea for Mr Barrett to talk with the cabinet member responsible.
Thankfully the other Weston Councillor Malcolm Lees did, and negotiated a deal on behalf of the residents he represents. "No closure of the existing toilets until an ACCEPTABLE alternative has ben provided". Acceptable by who I hear you ask? By the good people.”
by CaptainD
Thursday, March 07 2013, 5:39PM
“Cllr Barrett, here's an idea for you, guaranteed to keep the toilets open.
Step 1: Rename the loos 'bicycle storage units combined with ablution and relief facilities'
Step 2: Pop along to Cllr Symmonds office and tell him you have a top wheeze to get people in the city out on their bicycles.
Step 3: Ask Cllr Symmonds for some of the £500K of taxpayers money he is currently looking to waste.
Step 4: Cllr Symmonds will hand over the readies.
Step 5: Loos stay open.
Simples. Let me know how you get on.”