SIR — At an extraordinary meeting of Minehead Town Council on Friday June 28 it was agreed that the town council would enter into negotiations with West Somerset Council in order to see what can be done to re-open the public toilets at the Carousel in Minehead.

I must point out that at present these toilets are the responsibility of the district council to run and maintain, and it is they who have closed them in order to save money.

I do not wish to apportion blame but I must point out where the responsibility lies.

I note that the town council was previously consulted on this issue and did at that time reluctantly comply.

The town council is willing to look at this decision again, but should it wish them to be reopened it is very likely that it will have to find the necessary running costs.

If this were the only issue to present itself then this would not be so bad, but there are other issues. For example, taking on of necessity the maintenance of some grass verges and traffic islands which are currently not under the town council remit, not to mention a proposed ten per cent cut in the central government grant for the next financial year.

Minehead Town Council has reasonable reserves but these will soon be depleted if it has to continually pick up the tab for the responsibilities of others.

I would add that the town council welcomes the participation of members of the public at its meetings and would also wish to actively encourage them.

What it will not tolerate is the disorderly behaviour displayed at its last meeting.

Cllr O C Harvey,

Minehead Town Council.