THE fate of the public toilets at The Point, Teignmouth is due to be decided at a special meeting of the town council. It is usually in recess for August, but will come together next Tuesday so a decision can be made before the loos are closed permanently on September 29. The town council, which has constantly missed negotiation and payment deadlines, was made a take-over offer by the toilet's owners, Teignbridge Council, on July 11. The district council has offered to lease the building to Teignmouth for 21 years at a peppercorn rent of £1 per annum. It has also agreed to provide a £15,000 'dowry' to help cover the cost of repairs and maintenance although the town council will technically be responsible for all costs. At Monday's meeting of Teignbridge Council's Executive, council leader Cllr Alan Connett, said Teignmouth had yet to respond to the offer and added: 'I hope we will hear in good time.' The fate of the toilets was first thrown into doubt last November when it was revealed that the town council had not paid its £6,000 contribution towards the cost of upkeep since 2003/04. Several town councillors claimed they knew nothing of the arrangement, but it was recorded in council minutes. A threat to close the toilets on January 1 was lifted and talks extended until February. A further stay of execution was granted in April and the September deadline agreed. Teignmouth mayor, Cllr Geoff Bladon, set up a working party three months ago to formally request the takeover of the facility. He said that negotiations are proceeding 'quite nicely' with the district authority. Teignbridge Council decided to earmark the loos for closure in the face of a £115,000 investment to bring the toilets up to standard. That is on top of a £6,000 yearly maintenance bill. But the town council is hopeful that it can undertake works at a lower cost with the everyday running of the facility shared with river users, including the Rowing Club and the Teign Fisherman and Waterman's Association. The loos are well used by Shaldon ferry passengers, beach hut owners and visitors using the car park. The nearest loo is situated on The Den. Town and district councillor David Cox asked for a progress report from the leader at Monday's meeting. He said afterwards: 'Teignmouth Council has missed deadlines time and time again. 'This seems like a reasonable offer from Teignbridge and we as a town council need to get our act together and take this forward with other interested parties,' said Cllr Cox.
