Closing Oxford's public conveniences is discriminatory and will stop tourists coming here

5.56.00pm GMT Sun 25th Oct 2009

Cllr Jean Fooks

The decision by Oxford City's Labour administration to close public toilets across the city, to save a small amount of money, has been condemned by a Lib Dem spokesman. Despite feedback from a brief period of consultations which showed unanimous hostility to the proposals, seven public conveniences will be closed as early as this week. This flies in the face of recent recommendations from the House of Commons select committee against such moves.

Lib Dem City Council spokesman Cllr Jean Fooks said: "Closing loos when the feedback from consultation was that more were needed seems extraordinary. It is ironic that the City Council announces loo closures in the same week that Phyllis Starkey MP, announces the findings of the Select Committee she chairs: 'Councils should not close loos to save money'. Or perhaps 'Councils should not save money by closing loos'!!"

Phyllis Starkey was previously Labour Leader of Oxford City Council, before her election to parliament in 1997.

Cllr Fooks added: "Seven loos are to close to save £50,000 pa - out of a budget of £400,000 pa. Other authorities manage to maintain toilets for much less than Oxford - could we not learn from others? Universal feedback from elderly people indicates that as more people reach greater ages, the need for accessible public loos increases. It is discriminatory to make it less convenient for older people to go out - many will simply stay at home for fear of not finding a loo when they need one."

Figures published recently indicate that the tourist industry generates about £740 million of revenue to local businesses in Oxford, and supports about 14,000 jobs. Current strategies aim to increase the amount of time each tourist spends in Oxford, and therefore the amount each is likely to spend. Reducing the availability of public toilets will make Oxford less attractive to tourists, and undermine this healthy source of income and jobs. At a time of recession, this is plainly daft.

To sign a petition opposing closure of public conveniences in Oxford, go to:

http://oxfordeastlibdems.org.uk/petitions/3/sign-new.html