The Aberdeenshire Council public toilet debacle continues
It seems that the nine public toilets that are classed as, low use or poor condition, that are being closed without any public consultation, is only the tip of the turd.
At the January meeting of the Infrastructure Services Committee the closure of the nine low use public toilets was approved as part of the Review of the Public Convenience Strategy
(4) To authorise the closure of 9 low use and or poor condition public conveniences as identified in Table 5, Appendix 1 to the report (Page 17)
In a news item that was slipped quietly on to the council website on Friday afternoon, it appears that another 15 public conveniences are to close at the inconvenience of the public. Friends at Fyvie, get your war face on, you look to be in the firing line of the Aberdeenshire public toilet blunderbuss as well.
- Fetterangus Ferguson Street
- Maud Station Road
- New Deer Main Street
- Pennan Public Hall
- Strichen Bridge Street
- Auchenblae Mackenzie Avenue
- Boddam Harbour Street
- Collieston Low Town
- Fettercairn Main Street
- Fyvie Cuminestown Road
- Glenshee Car park
- Gourdon Boath Park
- Longside Main Street
- Pitcaple Rowan Tree car park
- St Cyrus Ecclesgreig Road
These closures are also being made under the Review of the Public Convenience Strategy. As far as we can see from the minutes of the meeting, there is no mention of these other 15 public conveniences let alone any note of them being approved for closure.
As David Porter pointed out on Facebook
I;m not sure whose authority is being used for the closures at the start of the list – ISC minutes of Jan 28 only state that (4) To authorise the closure of 9 low use and or poor condition public conveniences as identified in Table 5, Appendix 1 to the report (Page 17);
(5) To authorise the closure of unattended public convenience in New Pitsligo where there was already a Comfort Partnership in place. No other closures indicated or mentioned
In the press release, Head of Property and Facilities Management Allan Whyte said of the closures
While we appreciate the benefit of a rural public toilet to visitors and local residents, maintaining such a large network across Aberdeenshire is an increasing challenge.
The fact is, several of our facilities are in poor condition and a number are rarely used, and we have to make sure we are making the best use of the funding available.
By reducing the overall number of council-run facilities and increasing the number of community-run toilets, this will allow us to continue to increase the quality of provision across the area over the coming years.
Where there is a strong desire to maintain a facility in a community, we’d encourage early conversation with officers to discuss the possibilities and the support the council may be able to provide.
I especially like that last line
Where there is a strong desire to maintain a facility in a community, we’d encourage early conversation with officers to discuss the possibilities and the support the council may be able to provide.
I think the community of Turriff have shown a strong desire to maintain the public toilets at The Haughs, but so far the council have not offered to discuss any possibilities or offer any support.
I’d love to know what Possible community involvement being considered actually means. Aberdeenshire Council can’t possibly say that community involvement is being considered, because they haven’t yet spoken to us, as far as I’m aware.
Have they spoken to you?
