Toilet cash scheme in pipeline for Walsall
Shopkeepers in Walsall may be given cash incentives to allow members of the public to use their toilets following council plans to close facilities across the borough.
Draft budget proposals unveiled this week reveal plans to close some public loos to save £120,000.
Traders in neighbouring Cannock, Hednesford and Rugeley are already being offered cash to allow customers to use their toilets. Walsall Council leader Mike Bird today said his authority is looking at a similar scheme.
Councillor Bird said: "We are looking at offering shopkeepers some kind of donation to encourage them to allow the public to use their toilets, which they have to provide by law anyway.
"The public toilets we are considering closing in Walsall are in a disgusting state and people do not want to use them anyway."
Six public toilets could close to save on cleaning and maintenance costs of £120,000. Public toilets in High Street, Pelsall; The Library in Rushall; the car park in Willenhall; The Square in Aldridge; Ravenscroft in Brownhills and Blakenall Heath would shut.
Councillor Bird said some had been closed on a trial basis in recent months – and there had been just one complaint.
Walsall Council is having to make £13 million of savings in the next financial year.
Consultation is now taking place over the draft budget proposals before a final one is approved in February.
