This note has been prepared to help residents understand the provision of public toilets in Wincanton, in the light of misleading comments posted on social media.
EXISTING PROVISIONS
Firstly, the Town Council own and maintain 2 public toilets in the town – one in the recreation ground/Cale Park, the other at the junction of Church Street and Churchfields.
REFURBISHMENT
We have recently let a contract to have these two public toilets refurbished, including the provision of lighting in the one at Cale Park (it is currently unlit). The works will be done in such a way that access will be maintained at all usual opening times.
The funds used for these works comes from the Community Infrastructure Levy, which comprises moneys provided by developers as a consequence of commencing works with (relatively) recent planning permission in the town. There are restrictions as to what these funds can be used for and a timescale by when they must be spent. Failure on the part of the Town Council to use these funds would mean that they could be clawed back by the developers which would be a loss to the town.
MEMORIAL HALL CAR PARK PUBLIC TOILETS
The public toilets in the Memorial Hall car park – also known as the bus terminus – are owned and operated by Somerset Council. Somerset Council decided to close these facilities in order to save money. Originally this closure was proposed for April 2024 (last year), but Somerset Council agreed to keep them open if the Town Council paid for their cleaning which cost circa £8,000 in 2024/25. Reluctantly, the Town Council agreed to this and found the money necessary from general reserves rather than charge the rate payer an additional sum. However, during the year it became apparent that the cleaning was not being undertaken and for the last few months, payment of the costs was withheld by the Town Council.
During 2024, Somerset Council decided not to continue this arrangement after 31st March 2025 and decided to close those toilets from 1st April 2025. They did indicate that the Town Council could buy or lease the toilets from them but stated that the Town Council would then be responsible not only for cleaning, but also long-term maintenance/upkeep, security (opening and closing), insurance, business rates (at £700 per annum). The building was identified as being in a poor state of repair which would require upgrading soon.
The Town Council concluded that their funds did not extend to take on this responsibility, particularly as they already provide 2 other facilities in the town, to have done so would have resulted in the annual precept for the Town Council (and therefore the public’s council tax bills) increasing by around £10k per annum.
CONTEXT
Public toilets are being closed across the country as local authorities feel the pinch of diminishing finances. Bruton has no such facilities, whilst Castle Cary has only one set of public toilets. The public toilets in the Carrington Way car park were closed by the former South Somerset District Council some time ago.
Wincanton has two sets of public toilets.
DISABLED ACCESS
Both sets of toilets in Wincanton are disabled access friendly and will be improved in the current refurbishment.
THE WAY FORWARD
The Town Council has sought to request local businesses to allow use of their own facilities for members of the public, to be recompensed with a small sum of money from the Town Council to reflect increased usage. These discussions are ongoing. Some local businesses are unsuitable for these purposes.
The Town Council will reinvigorate discussion with Somerset Council over the future of the toilets in the Memorial Hall car park.
Complaints about the closure of the toilets can be directed to Somerset Council via their website https://www.somerset.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/complaints-comments-and-compliments/