A set of public toilets threatened with closure in Grasmere has won a two-year reprieve although the future of a key loo in Ambleside town centre remains in doubt.

At its recent meeting, Lakes Parish Council officially added its signature to a partnership agreement, which will keep the toilets open at Stock Lane car park.

It follows contributions to the £10,775 running costs from Grasmere traders and the Lake District National Park Authority with funding assistance from SLDC.

The agreement means the parish council will have to pay £1,300 this year and next as its contribution to keep the toilets open for nine months of the year, as they close in winter.

But the future of the public toilets at the Mechanics Institute, in Ambleside, appears uncertain due to a reluctance by others to form a partnership to contribute to the cost.

SLDC, which does not have to provide public conveniences as a statutory duty, identified loo closures as an area where it could make significant savings during a Fundamental Review of Services in 2001/02.

Michael Presland, Lakes Parish Council clerk, said the parish council could either pay £2,500 in addition to the existing money needed to keep the loos open or SLDC would have to increase its 50 per cent funding offer.

Mr Presland told members that, for a parish which relied on tourists, the district council had treated it "abysmally" and he believed there was still money in SLDC's £75,000 pot set aside to help with costs.

"You could go on putting your hands forever in your pockets but I do not recommend you do that because you are just bailing out the district council," Mr Presland told members.

"There is no intention by the chamber of trade with helping out with partnership funding because the toilets are not as closely tied to the prosperity of the village as those at Grasmere."

Members heard the toilets are used by market traders and are considered the key town centre loos.

Coun Edna Garlick warned that it could expect criticism from the public if it raised the precept to find the additional money to keep the toilets open.

"If we continue to fund these toilets we will have to precept the people outside this room for more money," she said.

Coun Les Johnson told members an increase in the precept could only be justified "most reluctantly."

"Our local electorate would see us prepared to have toilets closed simply because we are reluctant to be taken for a ride by SLDC."

Members agreed to have further negotiations with SLDC.

Parish council chairman Rod Sutton said there was little choice.

"You either double charge the public or deprive them of the use of a toilet."

May 9, 2003 10:30