Abergele toilets to be refurbished and transferred to town council

Run-down toilets in Abergele have been saved, and maintenance will be transferred from Conwy County Council to the town council after refurbishment.

The conveniences at Water Street, Pensarn Promenade and Pentre Mawr Park will be repaired and renovated before the transfer, following a decision by Conwy County Council’s cabinet.

At a virtual meeting, councillors heard how the toilets at Water Street had deteriorated and were close to the point of no return in terms of their economic life.

A report said doing nothing could result in the toilets on Water Street being demolished and the continued, unsustainable use of portaloos at Pentre Mawr Park.

Cabinet members were upbeat about the transfer and hoped other town councils, such as Llandudno, would also adopt their public conveniences.

The change means the toilets will now be cleaned, maintained and operated by the town council, and it’s hoped, as well as being more cost-effective, that the transfer will embed a sense of place and ownership, discouraging anti-social behaviour.

As part of the refurbishments, the council will install ‘low maintenance’ surfaces and finishes, making them easier and cheaper to clean. The council say the transfer will also allow reduced staff costs and overheads such as transport, uniforms, mobile phones and management.

Conwy also claim the transfer will offer more flexible operations and extended opening hours. Currently toilets are on a schedule and opening and closing depends on the hours public convenience staff are working.

Cllr Nigel Smith commented: “I think it is a win-win for everybody.”
Cllr Chris Cater said: “This refurbishment and transfer scheme is really good, and I think we should encourage this, and I know it has been successful in places like Dolwyddelan, a small village, and Llanrwst, a bigger place.
“I hope that some other places like Llandudno will consider coming to a similar arrangement. But this has my full support. It will save some money and bring some local operation and responsibility for it.”

Public toilets at Llansannan, Llangernyw, Penmachno, Llanrwst and Dolwyddelan have all been transferred to their town and community councils since 2012.

Conwy County Council will continue to support the town council who would be registered on the Community Toilets Scheme and receive a grant of £500 toward their ongoing operating costs.

By Richard Evans – Local Democracy Reporter