Four public toilets could be saved from closure
... but most will still shut
Four public toilets on Arran are likely to be saved, but the majority will still shut at the end of the month.
Following constructive talks with Arran Community Council and community representatives, it is hoped that ownership of four of the island’s public conveniences will come under community control.
Under the community asset transfer scheme, ownership of the public toilets at Kilmory, Whiting Bay, Sandbraes and Glen Sannox are likely to pass from North Ayrshire Council to local organisations.
However, despite the best efforts of the council, it has not proved possible to find a group willing to take ownership of the public toilets at Blackwaterfoot, Lochranza or Lamlash. As a result, these facilities will be decommissioned and closed on March 31, and marketed for sale. Similarly, the toilets at North Sannox are beyond their useful economic life and will be decommissioned and closed on the same date.
Due to their condition and lack of local volunteers to provide ongoing maintenance, it is currently planned that the public conveniences at Brodick Green will also close. Members of the public will be able to use the nearby facilities in Brodick Hall, but only during opening hours.
Yvonne Baulk, head of physical environment at the council, said: ‘Like all local authorities, we are having to balance reducing resources with an increasing demand for our services. Since 2010, we have had to find £73 million of savings which means that difficult decisions have to be made.
‘In light of these reducing resources, a decision was taken by the council in February 2016 to close most of our public toilets, with the closures planned for March 31 to give officers time to work with communities to develop proposals to transfer ownership and operation of public toilets to those communities that wished to maintain provision.
‘Since then, we have held positive discussions with community groups on Arran which may allow the public toilets at Kilmory, Whiting Bay, Sandbraes and Glen Sannox to remain open, subject to a community asset transfer.
‘We will continue to meet with representatives of the community council and other local community associations to offer support and advice which would enable them to assume operational responsibility for these four facilities.’