Councillors voted unanimously to pay up to £9000 plus VAT to install new coin operated door release systems at the entrance of the town’s public toilets, meaning that people who need the facilities will have to pay 20p to use them. Councillors discussed whether they should pay to install coin operated door release systems at the Red Meadow and Wye Street Toilet Blocks at the Town Council meeting on Monday, April 10th.

Councillor David Ravenscroft, the Mayor of Ross, told the meeting that if the coin operated door systems were installed, it would cost 20p for people to access the toilets, but there would not be a charge for the disabled loos.

Cllr Jane Roberts asked what the estimated annual income would be. The Town Clerk, Sarah Robson, said that she had written to five councils that have coin operated door systems at entrances to their public toilets, but she had only received one response from a council in the Lake District.

Ms Robson said that she was unsure if the Ross toilets would have as many visitors as the ones in the Lake District, but she had been told that the annual income generated by the two toilets in that area is £10,000 per year for that council.

Cllr Daniel Lister asked if the police had been asked for their thoughts on toilets that were open 24/7, as he said that homeless people may be more likely to stay in the toilets overnight.

The Town Clerk said that she had not yet approached the police, but would do so if Councillors thought it necessary.

Cllr Richard Mayo said that he was still in two minds about the potential 24/7 opening hours. He estimated that if the Council decided to pay £9,000 from their general reserves it could be paid back within two years.

He added that any extra income generated from the toilets, should be re-invested into those assets, and the toilet blocks could cover their own costs.

He added that the two public toilets had cost more money than the Council had anticipated, for cleaning and electricity costs. He added that implementing a minimal 20p charge to use the facilities, would result in better toilets for Ross.

To read the article in full, please see this week’s edition of the Ross Gazette.