Lib Dem Council Agrees Toilet Rescue Plan

Shepway Council's ruling cabinet has agreed a plan that will keep open nine of the district's public toilets. The toilets were threatened after the Labour Government forced the Council to cut services to reduce the size of the Council Tax rise.

Toilets to stay include 3 in Folkestone, 2 in Hythe and toilets in Littlestone, St Mary's Bay, Dymchurch and Greatstone. Efforts will continue to save other toilets across the District. The Council hopes to be able to work with Parish and Town Councils to achieve this.

Shepway Council Leader Cllr Linda Cufley said, "Closing public conveniences was not something this Council wanted to do, but we were forced into this by the Government. We recognise the difficulties the closures would cause especially on those areas that rely heavily on tourism. That's why we have been working hard to find a way to keep at least some of our public toilets open."

All of the saved toilets will now stay open to at least the end of September as the Council works with local communities to secure their long term future. The only immediate threat is if the Government 'caps' Shepway which will force further deeper cuts into all Council services.

Cabinet member Cllr John Hughes added, "The effect of further Government intervention in Shepway would be nothing short of catastrophic. We intend to ask the local Government Minister Nick Raynsford to visit Shepway to see what the effects of capping would be on local people."