WEST Somerset could lose its public toilets in 18 months’ time as the district council battles to cut its budget.

The council’s scrutiny committee was being told last night (Thursday) that the coming financial year’s forecast deficit of more than £500,000 will only get worse unless further drastic economies are planned for the future – and public toilets could be a major victim.

A report to the committee from assistant resources director Paul Fitzgerald said it was anticipated that Government funding would continue to reduce each year for the foreseeable future.

The council was faced with needing to make savings of £1.6 million by 2020-21 – around 33 per cent of its current net budget.

One option to help balance the 2017-18 books was to seek new owners or operators for the council’s public toilets. And if they couldn’t be found, they would have to close.

“The council will work proactively to secure the future of the conveniences, but if no alternative can be found by April 2017 the proposal is that the facilities will be closed,” the report said.

Councillors were told that handing over the district’s toilets would save around £107,000 a year and would see another organisation take on the running responsibilities and financial liabilities.

Full report in the Free Press