Toilet scheme rumpus

Saddleworth Parish Council:

SCATHING criticism was launched at the running of the Saddleworth parish council’s community toilet scheme last night over differing payments made to businesses involved.

In a heated debate, councillor John Hudson said he was ‘absolutely appalled’ at the council’s refusal to discuss in public the facts and figures of how much each venue is paid.

The scheme, which is regarded as one of the council’s success stories, was launched in March, with participating businesses letting non-customers spend a penny without having to make a purchase.

Growing in popularity, there a now nine businesses involved with the parish council pilot project, due to run until the end of the financial year at a total cost of £6,600.

Councillor Mavis Bingley raised the issue when questioning the different amounts allocated to each participating premises, listed in a budget report.

The council’s clerk Tony Marlor explained how the payments had been reached using a formula based on the number of toilets on offer, the opening hours that the services were available and the type of facilities available, for example disabled access or baby-changing facilities.

Councillor Bingley was then told that she would be informed how the formula worked when not in the public domain.

But councillor John Hudson said: “In this case the cost of having a wee is dearer in one place than another.

“The figures look disproportionate and I’m not happy with that at all.

“I don’t remember the formula coming to council – rate-payers’ money should never be a secret.

“So long as I can I will fight for the right to have the information.”

Taking issue with the different amounts paid, he said: “How can the Ram’s Head in Denshaw, where not many people will use the services, be paid more to be part of the scheme than a busy shop in Uppermill?

“We should be able to question these things if they are not working properly.”

Chair of the Parish Council Keith Begley assured Councillor Hudson that the formula would be studied, and a full report on how the amounts are reached would be produced.