More than £3million is going to be spent on upgrading a number of public toilets across East Devon, saving the council thousands of pounds on running costs for years to come.
East Devon District Council is planning to use a substantial amount of capital investment to ensure the district has the best, most modernised loos, located in the right place, that cost less money to run while also maintaining the highest standards of cleanliness.
The consultation is running for the next eight weeks and closes at 5pm on Friday, 1 October 2021.
The authority can’t continue to operate all the public toilets as they currently are, so is also investigating the locations and potential alternative uses for some sites, to make best use of what there is.
Residents are now being asked to share their views in a consultation on the project that looks at how much the public toilets are used at different locations, possible alternative uses, some of which could include public toilets provided by businesses or organisations – such as a café with a public toilet or another community facility.
The idea for ‘pay-to-use’ public conveniences is also being put forward – this could help pay for the running costs of the toilets that are important for residents and tourists alike.
There has been a lack of investment and refurbishment of the toilets over the years and now the majority of these facilities are difficult to maintain, to clean and many require major improvement works. The recent public health emergency has highlighted that our facilities are very difficult to maintain to the new high standard of cleanliness and hygiene that users now expect.
Due to reductions in central Government funding, over the past 10 years, EDDC is facing a £3million funding gap in 2022, unless it changes the way it operates some services.
In 2019 £473,000 was spent running the public convenience service. This provided 30 public toilet sites, 26 owned and operated by the council and four maintained for others.
It amounts to an average of £15,786 a year to directly look after each toilet block, this includes the maintenance of the toilets and providing water, toilet rolls, cleaning them twice a day and management costs.
The council has also looked into using a third party contractor, to help with the maintenance and services, but thorough investigations showed it would cost less to keep the service ‘in house’.
Councillor Geoff Jung, EDDC Portfolio Holder for Coast, Country and Environment said: “We know that public toilets are important to residents and vital to our visitor economy, and an emotive subject, which is why we are asking for your views, so we understand what you consider is important.
“Most of our public toilets are now requiring major updating and over the last 40 years there has been considerable changes to the areas they are located in, so a total reappraisal is now required of where toilets are required and what facilities are important for residents and visitors.
“We plan to invest £3million in our toilets to create top class, premier facilities to be proud of, which can address the imbalance in equal access for all, to provide a level of toilet provision within a reasonable walking distance, incorporate adult changing spaces in some prime locations and make better use of some locations for other community use, such as café’s or spaces that still incorporate a public access toilet, such as the Hideaway Café in Seaton.
“We have to look at doing something differently as we can no longer afford to continue with the status quo, and we believe the proposals we have put forward offer the best balance of high quality accessible public toilets, additional uses that would be a benefit and provide a service that is sustainable for the future.
“Please read our proposals and use the online consultation so we know what you would like.”
Tell the council what you think about our proposals by filling in the online questionnaire by visiting www.eastdevon.gov.uk/publictoiletreview
If you need a copy of the consultation on paper or in any other format, please contact the council to discuss your needs by email: publictoiletreview@eastdevon.gov.uk or call 01395 517569.

EDDC has spent time reviewing all the district’s toilets and categorising them (a, b or c) depending on the location and the walking distance between key areas such as a town centre, beach or large park and how well-used they are.

Category A toilets

These are important public toilet sites which underpin the community, visitor economy or town, in which we will continue to invest and maintain.
All of these toilets will refurbished and brought up to Charter Mark standards if they don't already meet them.
Axminster - West Street Car Park Public Toilets - Running costs - £16,258.12 a year.
Budleigh Salterton - Cliff Path (West End / Steamer) Public Toilets. Running costs - £15,271.54 a year.
Budleigh Salterton - East End (Lime Kiln) Public Toilets. Running costs - £18,279.88 a year.
Beer - Jubilee Gardens Public Toilets. Running costs - £39,692.09 a year.
Exmouth - Foxholes Car Park Public Toilets. Running costs - £22,543.95 a year.
Exmouth - Magnolia Centre (London Inn) Public Toilets. Running costs - £28,881.03 a year.
Exmouth - Manor Gardens Public Toilets. Running costs - £24,599.32 a year.
Exmouth - Queens Drive Public Toilets. Running costs - £20,495.53 a year.
Exmouth - Phear Park Public Toilets. Running costs - £12,893.16 a year.
Honiton - Lace Walk Public Toilets. Running costs - £27,365.82 a year.
Seaton - West Walk Public Toilets. Running costs - £33,670.32 a year.
Sidmouth - Connaught Gardens Public Toilets. Running costs - £28,251.07 a year.
Sidmouth - Triangle Public Toilets. Running costs - £22,100.20 a year.
Sidmouth - Either the Market Place or Port Royal Public Toilets would be retained depending on any redevelopment of these sites, or there would be new alternative provision. This would be a prime tourist / town centre location. Running costs - £40,588.09 a year for the Market Place and £7,407 for Port Royal.

Category B toilets

Still relevant locally, but less well used or where there are multiple toilets in close proximity (according to proximity maps and 4/8 minute walking zones). If a toilet has been listed as suggested category B it means we would look at other options for the use of the site. At sites identified as category B, we could consider marketing a lease opportunity for a different offer such as a café, to include a publicly accessible toilet, or sell the public toilets, depending on the options for each particular site. Town or parish councils and community groups could bid for these sites as well.
Budleigh Salterton - Station Road Car Park Public Toilets. The site has potential for redevelopment together with the Lower Station Road Car Park. Running costs - £15,021.62 a year.
Exmouth - Imperial Recreation Ground Public Toilets. This site is about a four minute walk from the toilets in Manor Gardens. However, it could offer a very good café / bar. Running costs - £24,058.37 a year.
Exmouth - Orcombe Point Public Toilets. Around a four minute walk to the larger Foxholes toilet block. Running costs - £6,371.78 a year.
Exmouth - The Maer Public Toilets. Could be better used as a cafe/bar with community toilets, potential link with BBQ area. Running costs - £8,951.94 a year.
Seaton - Harbour Road Car Park Public Toilets. Proximity map shows the town is served by West Walk public toilets. Running costs - £26,972.73 a year.
Seaton - Hole Public Toilets. Proximity map shows the town is best served by West Walk public toilets, with additional ones available at Tesco and the Chine Hideaway cafe. Running costs - £25,142.83 a year.
Sidmouth - Market Place Public Toilets. Significant redevelopment opportunity as town centre site. Running costs - £40,588.09 a year.
Sidmouth - Port Royal (Alma Bridge) Public Toilets. Potential for commercial use tied to Port Royal. Running costs - £7,407 a year.

Category C toilets

The council can no longer afford to run these toilets which are either less used or are in locations served by other facilitates. Town councils and community groups can be given the opportunity to operate these.
Budleigh Salterton - Brook Road Car Park Public Toilets. Running costs - £1,761.94 a year.
Colyton - Dolphin Street Car Park Public Toilets. Running costs - £7,105.87 a year.
Exmouth - Bus / Train Station Public Toilets. Very low usage. This site is at a gateway to the town, but directly benefits the station and could be operated by others. The building can't be used as anything other than a public toilet. Could be re-modelled as part of the Motorhome parking project pending councillor approval. Running costs - £24,541.37 a year.
Exmouth - Jarvis Close Public Toilets. Running costs - £10,000.23 a year.
Honiton - King Street Car Park Public Toilets. Proximity maps show the town is well served by Lace Walk Public Toilets. Running costs - £11,534.96 a year.
Seaton - Marsh Road Public Toilets. Proximity maps show that the town is well served by West Walk public toilets. Tesco in Seaton have publically accessible toilets, as do the Chine Hideaway cafe and other attractions. Running costs - £20,910.43 a year.