A COUNCIL has been slammed for spending £160,000 on new public toilets in Llanrwst, and about £21,000 of that was on the hire of portable toilets.
Conwy County Borough Council is facing funding pressures in 2024/25 including pay awards for teachers and local government staff, general inflation, higher cost of borrowing as well as significant demand led pressures in social care and homelessness, which total around £29m.
After a settlement of £4m, they face a resource shortfall of £25m.
An Freedom of Information (FOI) request, put in by councillor Mostyn Jones, deputy mayor of Llanrwst, revealed that overall £160,000 had been spent on the public toilet project at Gwydir Park. This works out about £133,000 on the new build, £21,000 on the hire of portable toilets and £6,000 on the demolition of the old toilet block.
The new public toilet facility, which has been hit by delays, is not yet open but is said to be "nearing completion".
Cllr Jones said: "At a time when we are all facing the prospect of further council tax increases, it is essential that every single penny is spent carefully by Conwy County Borough Council.
“£140,000 for demolishing and building a new toilet block is unacceptably high. On top of that, around £21,000 has been forked out for the hire of portaloos, yet, we still have no toilets in the park.
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“The local authority could have bought a house in Llanrwst for the amount they are spending on one toilet block.
“The most frustrating point of all is that this huge expenditure could have been avoided through placing the public facilities in the long closed, Conwy Council owned café in the park,
“Lessons need to be learnt from this project and the new block completed urgently."
Although it hasn't been opened for year, cllr Jones feels the Stilts Café could have been used for public conveniences.
A spokesperson from Conwy County Borough Council said: "The work at Gwydir Park to provide a new public toilet facility is nearing completion but has been subject to delays, including flooding. The previous toilet block was demolished due to its condition, which prompted the need for a suitable new facility in this area.
"The cost of the new facility includes structural works, additional drainage, and fixtures and fittings.
"The contract was awarded through a competitive tender."
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