PLANS for the future of Eden's public toilets are back on the agenda after a group of concerned councillors called for a rethink.

Eden District Council will discuss the fate of the district's loos on Thursday, October 21, after a special meeting was called by six councillors.

Coun Gordon Nicholson, Coun Neil Hughes, Coun Keith Morgan, Coun Mark Saunders, Coun Sydney Simpson and Coun John Thompson have come up with a revised plan that they believe will be more equitable and keep more toilets open.

Proposals approved by EDC in January saw four toilets in Appleby, Kirkby Stephen, Glenridding and Penrith ear-marked for closure and another 11 conveniences facing their final flush if local organisations were unwilling to take them over. The council would retain ten toilets and save an estimated £84,186.

But the revised plans, which would save the council £45,166, recommend the authority retains eight toilets, puts 13 out to tender and closes four.

The report by Coun Gordon Nicholson stated the group was bringing forward the changes in response to representations made by the members of the public and parish councils who had been approached to take over toilets.

The report stated: "The requesting group of councillors readily acknowledges that savings from their proposals will be around £42,000 less than those generated from implementing the Scrutiny Review.

"Nevertheless, it is considered that implementing the proposals in this report will be more equitable, will keep more public toilets open and will produce significant savings."

The report added the revised scheme would cost the Eden taxpayer an extra £2 a year.