Toilet refurbishment could cost £225k

The plans to refurbish the Gravel Car Park public toilets could cost up to £225,000, town councillors will be told.

At a full council meeting of Newtown & Llanllwchaiarn Town Council to be held next week, town councillors will be given an update from the Services Committee on the future refurbishment of the Gravel Car Park public toilets.

As we reported back in January, the ambitious plans would involve a total strip-out and redesign of the internal layout. 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.

A report from the Operations Manager to Full Council explains that cost estimates have risen from between £100k-150k to 175k-225k due to "increased labour and material costs".

The current plans involve match funding proposals, where the Town Council contributes a certain percentage of the overall cost, with the rest funded by a grant. The report identifies that the Transporting Towns Fund would require a match funding ratio of 70-30% - where the Town Council would provide 30% of the amount.

Another grant has also emerged from PAVO which would be a "potential opportunity to apply for up to £60,000 in funding for repair, maintenance, energy efficiency and renewable energy installations".

Town Councillors are being asked to authorise officers to proceed with the application to the Transforming Towns Fund with a provision for £55,000 in match funding, funded from the Major Refurbishment Fund, which currently holds £90,000.

The proposed completion date for this transformative project is anticipated around March 2025.

It is likely that councillors will support the recommendations.