MORE public toilet facilities are required in both Denbigh and Ruthin, a study by Denbighshire County Council has found.

As part of its Local Toilet Strategy review, the council has reviewed its provision of public conveniences across the county, which revealed a significant shortfall in numerous towns.

A copy of the report has been sent to the town councils based in Denbighshire, with the county council’s cabinet due to make recommendations on the matter in September.

Paul Jackson, the council’s head of highways and environmental services, wrote to the town councils: “As you will be aware, Denbighshire County Council is currently reviewing its provision of public toilets across the county, as we can no longer afford to provide this service in the way it is currently provided.”

While the net budget for public toilets across the county is £270,000, Mr Jackson said the council often overspends in this area, with its “true cost” being roughly £322,000 per year.

As part of its efforts to cut costs, he said it has been assumed that a minimum of £200,000 will be removed from the council’s public toilets budget.

He added: “It is important to note that there is no legal requirement for the council to provide public toilets.

“However, the council is required to provide evidence that it has reviewed the needs of the local population, and develop a strategy that evidences how these needs are being met or will be in future; for example, through the Community Toilet Schemes.”

Public toilets in Denbighshire either cost 40p per entry or are free of charge.

Based only on the provision of Denbighshire County Council’s public toilet cubicles, the shortfalls were found to be as follows:

Rhyl

There are currently 30 female, 10 male, two disabled, and one unisex toilets, and three baby changing facilities.

There was found to be a shortfall of 13 female, 13 male, and seven unisex disabled facilities.

Prestatyn

There are currently 12 female, seven male, three disabled, and two unisex toilets, and one baby changing facility.

There was found to be a shortfall of 21 female, 10 male and six unisex disabled toilets, and three unisex baby changing facilities.

Dyserth

There is currently one female and one male public toilet.

This provision “exceeds the local need”, the report found.

Rhuddlan

There are currently two female, one male and one unisex disabled public toilets.

This provision “exceeds the local need”, the report found.

St Asaph

There are currently two female, one male and one unisex disabled public toilets.

This provision “exceeds the local need”, the report found.

Denbigh

There are currently four female, three male, and one unisex disabled public toilets, and one unisex baby changing facility.

There was found to be a shortfall of nine female, three male, and two unisex public toilets, and one unisex baby changing facility.

Ruthin

There are currently two female, one male, one unisex, and one unisex disabled public toilets, and one unisex baby changing facility.

There was found to be a shortfall of five female, three male, and one unisex disabled public toilets.

Llangollen

There are currently 10 female, three male, one unisex, and one unisex disabled public toilets, as well as one unisex baby changing facility and one baby changing facility.

There was found to be a shortfall of one unisex disabled and one “changing places” public toilets, as well as one unisex baby changing facility.

Corwen

There are currently three unisex public toilets, and one unisex disabled and baby changing facility.

The report found that the public toilet need has been met in terms of the total number of cubicles, although some consideration could be given to ensuring the availability of single-sex facilities in future.