Argyll and Bute Council may withdraw running public toilets in bid to save £100,000

Council officials are considering whether to withdraw all involvement from the running of public toilets in Argyll and Bute.

A savings option being proposed by the authority would see it end its participation in the running of the facilities, whether by closure, sale or community asset transfer.

The council currently operates 57 public conveniences across the area. It is estimated that implementing the option would save it £100,000 per year.

A report featuring various savings options will be put before the council at its full meeting on Wednesday, November 26, but no decisions will be made on whether to implement any until the budget is set in February.

It said: “This proposal is aimed at withdrawing council involvement in all facilities, whether by closure, sale or community asset transfer.

“Proposals will require significant engagement with stakeholders prior to implementation to identify where sale or transfer could take place, and may mean that the savings can only be implemented part way through the financial year – assumed a half year saving in 2026/27 followed by a full year saving in 2027/28.

“Argyll and Bute Council operates 57 dedicated public conveniences across one of the largest and most rural local authority areas in Scotland.

“The facilities and services have consistently been highlighted by communities as an important and valued part of local infrastructure – particularly in areas that support tourism, long-distance travel, and ferry-based connectivity. However, they are not a statutory service.

“The public convenience estate has a projected net operating cost of just over £0.331m for 2025/26. This includes staffing, utilities, supplies, and income offsets.

“There has been investment in facilities, for example on Iona, as part of the harbour upgrades at these locations.

“However, from local knowledge, and from feedback from elected members and communities, many of our facilities are in poor condition. The council does not have the capital funding required to bring these facilities up to an acceptable standard.”

It added: “In addition, the financial challenges facing the council mean that we need to review existing provision and identify how we can reduce expenditure by either introducing alternative service provision (community asset transfer/sale/lease to local business/comfort scheme), or where this is not possible, close facilities.

“It is anticipated that any proposals to change existing service provision will result in a negative response from our stakeholders, especially those with particular health conditions.”

Mitigation measures also mentioned were: “A comprehensive comms strategy outlining the reasons for the proposals, the alternatives being considered (community asset transfer, partnerships with local businesses, increased use of existing publicly accessible council buildings).

“Identifying capacity within the council to support communities to take on the running of public conveniences through sale, community asset transfers, licenses to occupy, or leases.”

The report then said: “It was originally intended that these proposals would be put to the environment, development and infrastructure committee on September 11. The purpose of the report was to update members and to seek approval prior to inclusion in budget proposals for financial year 2026/27.

“However the proposals are at a very early stage, and the mitigations mentioned above have not yet been developed. Public engagement without these mitigations in place will be extremely problematic.”