THE OLDER people’s commissioner for Wales has asked Gwynedd Council to reconsider their position on closing public toilets.

Gwynedd Council has included public conveniences in their list of potential cuts as they try to cleave £7m from their budget.

The topic has been discussed at length over recent years as toilets continue to close across the country.

However, the commissioner is concerned that closing the “vital community assets” might restrict older people’s freedom, especially those considered to be more vulnerable.

Older People’s Commissioner for Wales, Sarah Rochira, said: “Whilst I understand that difficult spending decisions must be made by local authorities, facilities like public toilets must be seen as vital community assets as they play an essential role in supporting older people to remain active and independent, essential for their health and wellbeing.

“I would urge any Gwynedd residents who are concerned about the impact that the closure of public toilets will have on their lives to respond to the consultation and make their voices heard so that the local authority can understand how much of a lifeline services like these can be for older people.”

Gwynedd councillor Louise Hughes has campaigned for the last few years against the closure of public conveniences.

The outspoken councillor previously rode to the Welsh assembly in Cardiff to present a petition with more than 5,000 signatures, against the closure of toilets.

Speaking on proposed cuts, Cllr Hughes added: “One of the proposals is to close 50 public toilets in Gwynedd as they are considered to be a nonessential service.

“How can toilets be considered nonessential? Everyone needs to use a toilet.

“We are in the 21st Century, yet we are going backwards, and if no toilets are available then people will improvise, and that is vile.

In response, a Gwynedd Council spokesperson said: “Gwynedd Council currently manages 73 public toilets and 35 community-based toilets where a grant is offered to community based enterprises and businesses to allow the general public to use their conveniences.

“The net annual cost of providing the public toilet service is £743,000.

“There are five toilets in the county requiring a small fee for their usage, the income generated helps towards the running costs of the toilet but does not cover the full cost of operating the toilet.

“The council is in preliminary discussions with a few Community and Town Councils regarding the future management of some conveniences, however no agreement has been reached to date regarding possible transfer of responsibility.”