A PROPOSAL to end council involvement in the running of public toilets across Argyll and Bute remains on the table.
The idea, first put forward by council officials in November, would see the authority end its involvement in running the conveniences, whether by closure, sale or community asset transfer.
It is estimated that the measure would save the council £100,000 a year as it seeks to close a budget gap estimated at over £13million.
The savings option again features in a report which will go before the council’s policy and resources committee at its meeting on Thursday, February 19. The council will set its budget on Wednesday, February 25.
The document said: “Argyll and Bute Council operates 57 dedicated public conveniences across one of the largest and most rural local authority areas in Scotland.
“The facilities and services have consistently been highlighted by communities as an important and valued part of local infrastructure – particularly in areas that support tourism, long-distance travel, and ferry-based connectivity. However, they are not a statutory service.
“Proposals will require significant engagement with stakeholders prior to implementation to identify where sale or transfer could take place and therefore a target saving of £100,000 has only been assumed at this stage.
“There has been investment in facilities, for example on Iona, as part of the harbour upgrades at these locations.
“However, from local knowledge, and from feedback from elected members and communities, many of our facilities are in poor condition. It would take a signficant amount of capital to bring all the toilet facilities up to an acceptable standard.
“The financial challenges facing the council mean that we need to review existing provision and identify how we can reduce expenditure by either introducing alternative service provision (community asset transfer / sale / lease to local business / comfort scheme), or where this is not possible, agree which facilities to close.
“It is anticipated that any proposals to change existing service provision will result in a negative response from our stakeholders, especially those with particular health conditions.
“The proposals are at a very early stage, and the mitigations mentioned above have not yet been developed. Public engagement without these mitigations in place will be extremely problematic.”
The document added: “A target saving of £100,000 has been entered for financial year 2026/27, however, as noted above, the proposals are at an early stage and if council are minded to accept this saving, it will be a target saving with further proposals and detail brought forward to council during the year.
“There will remain a risk that the saving couldn’t be delivered in full in year, however, every attempt would be made to deliver it.”
At November’s full council meeting, opposition councillors tried, via two different amendments, to have the savings option removed from the proposals by the council.
However, these were defeated, with administration councillors voting to keep all options on the table. It was also stated by some councillors that interest had been expressed in taking over the running of some toilets.
