SNP politicians are hailing an apparent U-turn by Perth and Kinross Council concerning the closure of a Perthshire town’s only public toilet.
Both Councillor Bob Ellis, one of the representatives for the Blairgowrie and the Glens ward, and John Swinney, MSP for Perthshire North, claim that the local authority will now review their policy on ‘comfort schemes’ after pressure was applied from the pair.
Concerns had previously been raised that the public toilet in Wellmeadow, Blairgowrie, could close as a result of financial cutbacks by the council.
However, Mr Ellis and Mr Swinney are optimistic that the future of the Blairgowrie toilet is safe, after the council revealed they will “reconsider” the matter, which had been included in budget proposals outlined up to 2019.
Mr Ellis said: “Blairgowrie town centre deserves to have public toilets right where they are – in the centre of the town.
“I was happy to underline to the council how well used these facilities are by locals and visitors alike and how valued they are as an asset for the many organisations who hold events in the Wellmeadow.
“This success in protecting the public toilets has been a joint effort but the outcome is the correct one for Blairgowrie.”
And Mr Swinney added: “I disagreed with the savings proposals as set out and believed that if public toilets were to have been removed this would have undermined the public amenity in Blairgowrie, together with the retail and tourism proposition that we offer, to an unacceptable extent.
“I understand the financial challenges faced by local authorities and also the fact that there is no statutory obligation on councils to provide public toilets. However, I equally understand the deep public concern about the potential loss of these facilities and I share in that concern.
“I think this amendment to their savings profile in favour of maintaining public toilets underlines their commitment to that priority.
“I very much welcome that the council has listened carefully to the points made, will not close these toilets, and will reconsider where this saving can be made. This is positive news for Blairgowrie.”
Perth and Kinross Provost, Councillor Liz Grant commented: “As a responsible council, Perth and Kinross constantly needs to keep all of its services under review and another look at this provision was planned in 2018. However, having reconsidered this proposal in the light of new budget flexibility given to the council by the Scottish Government, the council has asked officers to remove this suggestion.
“The local engagement over this matter is a tribute to the health of our local participation and the council is now very clear that local SNP members will not support the closure of our public toilets.”
And Councillor Caroline Shiers, another representative for the Blairgowrie and Glens, added: “I’m absolutely delighted that the SNP administration has backed down on their proposal to close the Wellmeadow public toilets and replace them with a comfort scheme.
“This is a sensible decision and one which will be welcomed locally. Hopefully, this proposal is now off the cards for the long-term as it would have been detrimental to the town and all the events run in the Wellmeadow area of Blairgowrie.”
A council spokesperson said “no decision” had been made on the matter, but conceded it will be reviewed.
“There has been a request from elected members for the proposal contained in the provisional council budget to 2019 to be reconsidered,” she said.
