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Cllr Paul Dimoldenberg |
What price spending a penny?
Plans to charge for a ‘Satlav’ scheme mean you’ll need plenty of ‘loos’change
TO spend a penny has been polite parlance since the Victorian times, but the euphemism might need an update to spending a pound when coin-operated “superloos” replace free public toilets in the borough.
The council’s new “Satlav” scheme costs 25p to text for the location of the nearest convenience and then an additional 50p to get access – so make sure you have some “loos” change in your pocket when nature calls.
Of the 52 council-run public toilets in Westminster, 14 currently charge and 11 more are set to charge by the end of the year.
The council has more than doubled its income from public toilets over the past four years, from £21,000 in 2003 to £45,000 in 2007.
The Labour group has slammed the scheme as a “stunt”, accusing the council of privatising public toilets in a cynical bid to make money.
The council defends the new toilets, claiming that people are happy to pay for decent facilities.
Labour leader Paul Dimoldenberg said: “The council tax may be frozen but other council charges are going up by astronomical leaps and bounds. The latest ‘SatLav’ stunt has increased the cost of using a public toilet by 50 per cent.
“The latest tax increase will be the first of many as the Conservatives give with one hand and take even more with the other.”
Councillor Alan Bradley, cabinet member for street environment said: “Westminster boasts more public toilets than any other local authority in England and the council has been opening and refurbishing more conveniences at a time when many areas have seen a reduction. But this investment comes at a price, and when we have to take difficult decisions on funding it makes sense to charge rather than close.
“The evidence shows that people are happy to pay for the clean, safe and staffed facilities found across Westminster.”
“We are confident the high standards we have achieved will continue and visitors will appreciate the fact that when they use a toilet in Westminster it will be clean and safe.
“I can provide assurances that charges will not apply to the vital conveniences we have in the heart of the West End, which are so important in helping keep our streets clean and safe during weekends and late at night.” |
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