Town councillors have agreed to 'build in' provision for charging in the redesign plans for the Gravel Car Park public toilet block.

The decision was reached after a Services Committee meeting held last night, where town councillors discussed the new redesign plans and also the impact of vandalism on the current block.

Councillor Jackie Molloy Davies raised questions during the meeting regarding the potential impact of vandalism on the newly refurbished toilets. Operations Manager, Lee Davies referred to a previously published article by All About Newtown highlighting the significant costs incurred by the public purse due to acts of vandalism.

The committee agreed that it would like to incorporate charging provision into the redesign, but ensuring that no decision has been made to impose charges. The decision was made to 'future-proof' the redesign plans.

The refurbishment project for the Gravel Car Park public toilets is part of the Town Council's broader initiative to enhance community facilities. Spearheaded by the Services Committee, the plan aims to create a more inclusive and environmentally sustainable facility.

The current state of the Gravel Car Park public toilet block, under Town Council ownership since 2018, necessitates a comprehensive redesign. While structurally sound, signs of wear and tear, coupled with persistent vandalism issues, have prompted the need for a more contemporary and secure layout.

The proposed redesign includes the installation of up to five externally accessed toilet cubicles, featuring gender-neutral options and a 'Changing Places' certified provision. This layout aims to improve safety, reduce vandalism, and enhance overall efficiency.

The recent Freedom of Information request submitted by All About Newtown highlighted the extensive costs incurred by the Town Council in addressing vandalism issues. Between January 2023 and December 2023, the public toilets were vandalised approximately 26 times, requiring 14 hours of staff time to fix. The estimated cost of these repairs during 2023 amounted to approximately £1,394.