Teignbridge District Council could get rid of more than two thirds of its public toilets as part of a multimillion cost saving programme.

Councillors will discuss the fate of its 22 public conveniences at a full council meeting next Wednesday (July 29).

A report on public toilet provision suggests that the council would generate £250,000 per year by divesting 15 public conveniences across the district.

‘The District Council has reviewed spending on toilet provision, and it is greater than comparable authorities locally and nationally,’ a Teignbridge spokesperson explained. ‘Providing public toilets is a discretionary and non-statutory service for the council,’ the spokesperson pointed out.

Teignbridge District Council aims to save £2.6 million a year by April 2027 through its Modern 25 transformation programme. The council has identified public conveniences as an area of high spend where savings could be made.

Teignbridge carried out a public consultation into the future of its toilet provision last autumn. However, only 5,577 (about 4%) of residents responded.

Shaldon resident Stuart Reynolds has slammed the way the consultation was put together and suggested the questionnaire was structured to provide a particular answer.

Dawlish town councillor and Teignbridge councillor Rosie Dawson said ‘questions had been raised over how the scores had come about’.

Teignbridge insists that the aim of the review is not to close toilets, but to work closely with town and parish councils to maintain provision and, where possible, transfer the management of toilets to them.

‘This has been a difficult but necessary process. We’ve listened carefully to feedback and are committed to working with local councils and communities to keep as many facilities open as possible,’ said Teignbridge District Council executive member for environmental services councillor Pete Williams. ‘However, we must also ensure that our services are financially sustainable for the future.’

Councillor Dawson from Dawlish, which has six Teignbridge operated public toilets, agreed that the district council needs to operate without debt. However, she noted that it is a tricky situation, particularly with the backdrop of local government reorganisation. ‘There is a limit to what town and parish councils can take on,’ she pointed out.

Decisions on which toilets will be divested have not yet been finalised but District Councillor Chris Clarance has warned that the Strand toilets in Shaldon are at risk.

‘Teignbridge District Council used a marking system to determine which ones to shut and keep open,’ Councillor Clarance explained. ‘Those with a score of eight and over were the seven not to be closed. The Ness toilets scored nine and are thus not scheduled to be closed. However, the Strand toilets scored just 5 and are scheduled to be closed,’ he added.

Shaldon Parish Council has launched a petition to save the Strand toilets, which has already attracted nearly 1000 signatures. The petition points out that removing the Strand toilets would impact those who are already vulnerable and threatens the ability of the village to maintain its designated bathing water classification. ‘The financial burden of transferring the cost of maintaining these essential facilities to the parish council would be prohibitive,’ points out Shaldon Parish Council chair Danielle Westlake.

There are already existing successful models of public conveniences operated by town and parish councils within Teignbridge, the district council pointed out. These include: Abbotskerswell, Bishopsteignton, Bovey Tracey, Christow, Exminster, Ipplepen, Kingskerswell, Teignmouth and Ogwell.

The 22 toilets operated by Teignbridge and at risk are:

Ashburton - Kingsbridge Lane

Buckfastleigh- Victoria Woodholme

Buckland-in-the-Moor - Newbridge

Chudleigh - car park

Dawlish - Barton Hill, Boat Cove, Sandy Lane, The Lawn

Dawlish Waren – Beach, Car park

Kingsteignton – Fountain

Lustleigh – The Orchard

Moretonhampstead – Court Street

Newton Abbot – Baker’s Park, Cricketfield Road, Decoy Park, Market Walk, Station Road

Shaldon – Ness Tunnel, The Strand

Starcross – The Strand

Widecombe-in-the-Moor – Car Park