Conservative councillors have kicked up a stink after the council announced plans to close almost a third of its public toilets over the next six months.
Some 17 of the city’s 57 public toilets will be closed over the winter until April next year, with Brighton and Hove City Council saying the measures were needed due to lack of staff and rising costs.
The closures include toilets at the Royal Pavilion Gardens, West Pier Arches and The Level.
However, Conservative councillor Robert Nemeth, the party's spokesman for the environment, transport and sustainability, said the move was “unacceptable” when public toilets in the city were already “under provided and in a poor state”.
He said: “Public toilets are one of the most basic services for a local council to provide and there needs to be a proper explanation as to why the council is closing so many.
“These new closures have not been properly explained by the council and there has not been any compensatory facilities put in place.
“Other councils are managing their budgets better and keeping their public toilets open and in good condition all year round despite the circumstances.”
Cllr Nemeth said he would be demanding answers at a meeting of full council later this month.
A council spokesman said millions of pounds in cuts by successive Conservative governments had made it “more difficult to maintain services at the level residents would like to see”.
He said: “Every winter we close a number of public toilets in the city. However, we are having to close more this winter due to rapidly rising costs and staffing pressures.
“Central government funding for the council has reduced by more than £100 million over the last ten years.
“This has made it more and more difficult for us to maintain services at the level we and our residents would like to see.
“Some toilets are also closed awaiting refurbishment.
“We are very sorry for the inconvenience. We are prioritising keeping our busiest public toilets open.
“There will be 18 public toilet blocks open in busy areas across the city this winter. Most of these will be open from 9am to 4pm.
“We have put notices on all the toilets currently closed with the directions to the nearest alternative facilities.”
Details of current opening times for the city’s public toilets are available on the council’s website.
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