With local authorities across Wales proposing to close public toilets, Leader of the Welsh Conservatives and Clwyd West MS Darren Millar has called on the Welsh Government to look into making it a statutory requirement for councils to provide them.

Raising the matter in yesterday's Business Statement, Darren said he has been contacted by residents who are concerned about the possible closure of toilets in his constituency and urged the Welsh Government to explore action it could take to prevent closures.

He said: 

"I call for a statement from the Welsh Government Minister with responsibility for public health. I've been contacted by many constituents in recent months about the prospect of public conveniences being closed in their communities.

"We know that public conveniences are very important, particularly for those people who have health conditions or disabilities, in terms of being able to access them. And, of course, they're important assets for our visitor economy as well. But it is a concern that we're seeing many of these close across Wales.

"I appreciate that the Welsh Government does have the Public Health (Wales) Act 2017, which required local authorities to publish strategies for their public conveniences, but there's no statutory requirement for them to provide public conveniences. I think that this is something that does need to be looked at to make sure that we don't lose any more of our loos across Wales.

"Can we have a statement on whether that is something that the Welsh Government might consider?"

Responding, the Trefnydd (Business Manager) Jane Hutt MS, thanked Darren for putting this matter "on a public agenda again".

She said: 

"We were able to ensure, through the Public Health legislation, that strategies do need to be published for public conveniences. I recall, over the years, that we've also discussed the fact that we have asked shops and businesses to make their conveniences open to the public as well. So, this requires a strategy, locally driven, with local people's engagement.

"But this is something that, I'm sure, will be considered by political parties in terms of future statutory requirements that parties may think would be useful and necessary. But it is important that you have put this on a public agenda again today."

Speaking after the meeting, Darren said:

"With it currently not being a statutory requirement for local authorities to provide public conveniences, they have a free rein to do as they please and sadly many of them are just looking at the cost savings and giving no consideration to the detrimental impact of closures on local communities.

"Public toilets should not be on the table when it comes to cutting services."