CHARGES are set to be removed at five of the nine public toilets with paid entry systems in Argyll and Bute.
A report has revealed that the other four – Inveraray, Helensburgh, Ardrishaig and Lochgilphead – accounted for the vast majority of over £67,000 of income from public toilets in the 2024/25 financial year.
Facilities at Sandbank and Tighnabruaich made less than £800 between them, with each having suffered vandalism, which it was not deemed cost-efficient to repair.
Those and the toilets at Glenmorag, Port Bannatyne and Colintraive are now being recommended to revert to free access, supported by honesty boxes.
Charging would be retained at Inveraray, Helensburgh, Ardrishaig and Lochgilphead. Argyll and Bute Council recently rejected a savings option to remove its involvement from public toilets across the area.
A report will go before the council’s environment, development and infrastructure committee at its meeting on Thursday, March 19.
Executive director Kirsty Flanagan said: “A review of comparable authorities confirms that charging models are only viable where there are consistent footfall and secure, resilient infrastructure.
“In rural and low-volume sites, the administrative and maintenance burden outweighs the financial gain.
“A more cost-effective model is therefore proposed where charging is retained at high-performing sites, and honesty boxes are installed elsewhere. This approach balances cost recovery with service quality and public expectation.
“The recommendation includes mitigations like signage, communications, and contractor engagement, and proposes a shift to honesty boxes at low-performing sites, reducing complexity and cost.
“At the five sites proposed for honesty boxes, it is proposed to convert the existing coin boxes to honesty boxes with clear signage.
“This approach has negligible running costs, and maintains a visible contribution mechanism that helps offset consumable and cleaning costs.
“The pilot phase has demonstrated that while charging can work in select high-footfall locations, it is not viable across the wider estate. A simplified hybrid model offers a more efficient and sustainable way forward.”
Ms Flanagan added: “This model maintains public access to valued facilities, secures ongoing income where achievable, and reduces complexity and cost where charging is not justified.
“It also aligns with the council’s wider priorities of sustainable service delivery, community involvement, and responsible use of resources.
“The recommended approach enables the council to continue providing an important non-statutory service in a way that is resilient, affordable, and responsive to community needs.”
