A Scottish local authority has recently launched a public consultation regarding the application of charges for access to public toilets, in a bid to obtain the necessary funding for keeping them open, a news report has been able to reveal.
The Highland Council is asking communities whether a 50p charge should be applied for using the Council-run public toilets. Many of the conveniences can be used free of charge while others, including sites in Aviemore, Fort Augustus and Inverness, cost 20p.
The council has been making cuts in its public toilets budget without having to close sites.
But it has warned that toilets may have to close next year if it cannot achieve a fresh round of savings. The local authority operates 102 toilets and 27 comfort schemes, which involve pubs, hotels and other businesses offering their facilities to the public, at an annual cost of £1.2m.
Community services committee chairman Allan Henderson said communities were being given a say in how toilets in their areas should be managed. He said: "It is essential that the agreed savings are achieved and this cannot be done without raising charges, closing toilets or a combination of both.
"This is something that is important for local communities to consider and decide what is best for their community."
Charging a fee for access is the most sensible solution when it comes to public toilets’ funding, and this is exactly where Toilet Turnstiles could really puts its experience to good work.
Our toilet turnstiles are built from graded stainless steel, for easier cleaning and maintenance, and also come equipped with lockable lids to prevent unwanted access. Furthermore, the separate coin box offers very versatile mounting options, as it can be installed either in front of the turnstile, at the side or alternatively, on the wall, with the cash box at the rear.
The turnstile’s coin mechanism can be programmed for virtually any combination of coins with a secure cash box to hold them, while the additional counters for the number of entries made will enable a thorough level of control over the system’s operation.
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