A former Council Leader has hit out at plans by Shropshire Council to get Town and Parish Councils in South Shropshire to pay for public toilets despite to public agreeing to a higher council tax to pay for them back in 2000.
Heather Kidd, who was leader of South Shropshire District Council 2001-2007, said “We asked the public, as part of an extensive consultation on the level of council tax, if they wanted to pay more and keep the toilets or pay less and loose them. There was a huge response – some 24% of residents registering their views with a clear majority agreeing to pay an extra £5.65 a year to keep our public toilets.
“Why now are Parish Councils being asked to pay for them again? We already pay the highest level of council tax in Shropshire!”
“South Shropshire recognised that the toilets are largely used by visitors and not the locals who pay the tax. Additionally, Parish and Town Councils would be hard pressed to contribute from their meagre resources.”
“Take for example parishes like Worthen and Shelve or Clun with small revenues but large numbers of visiting tourists. They would find running toilets for walkers and tourists not to mention school parties difficult if not impossible.”
“My message to Shropshire Council is either to lower council tax for South Shropshire or to back off on this issue. We don’t want to pay twice!”