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'Third World' Cornish toilet row plea to David Cameron | 'Third World' Cornish toilet row plea to David Cameron |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A plea has gone to Prime Minister David Cameron to intervene in an "unworkable" toilet privatisation plan. | A plea has gone to Prime Minister David Cameron to intervene in an "unworkable" toilet privatisation plan. |
It follows the failure of the "Your Convenience" plan by Cornwall Council to hand over public loos to businesses. | It follows the failure of the "Your Convenience" plan by Cornwall Council to hand over public loos to businesses. |
One councillor said the "naive" scheme could leave the county loo-less; a desperate situation he likened to a "Third World country". | One councillor said the "naive" scheme could leave the county loo-less; a desperate situation he likened to a "Third World country". |
Conservative MP Scott Mann has asked David Cameron to reclassify public toilets as statutory services. | Conservative MP Scott Mann has asked David Cameron to reclassify public toilets as statutory services. |
The prime minister regularly holidays near Polzeath where, according to an interactive loo-finder on Cornwall Council's website, there are two conveniences. | The prime minister regularly holidays near Polzeath where, according to an interactive loo-finder on Cornwall Council's website, there are two conveniences. |
'Disastrous consequences' | 'Disastrous consequences' |
Truro councillor Stuart Roden dubbed Your Convenience "really naive and probably unworkable". | Truro councillor Stuart Roden dubbed Your Convenience "really naive and probably unworkable". |
He said: "How can you envisage not having public toilets in Cornwall. It's not a Third World country." | He said: "How can you envisage not having public toilets in Cornwall. It's not a Third World country." |
Cornwall Council had hoped more than 40 public conveniences would taken on by businesses but it currently appears only five are likely to transferred. | Cornwall Council had hoped more than 40 public conveniences would taken on by businesses but it currently appears only five are likely to transferred. |
The other toilets would close in April next year when the council withdraws funding for them in a cost-cutting measure. | The other toilets would close in April next year when the council withdraws funding for them in a cost-cutting measure. |
Mr Mann said their closure would "bring disastrous consequences upon the county" and this was a "fundamental public health issue". | Mr Mann said their closure would "bring disastrous consequences upon the county" and this was a "fundamental public health issue". |
He is calling for a change in law so local authorities have an obligation to fund public toilets. | He is calling for a change in law so local authorities have an obligation to fund public toilets. |
David Cameron's office has been approached by the BBC but has not provided any comment on the issue. | David Cameron's office has been approached by the BBC but has not provided any comment on the issue. |
A Department for Communities and Local Government spokesman said: "Local people know what's best for their area, which is why we are reviewing how business rates can support local authorities and their facilities." | |
Cornwall Council did not respond to questions from the BBC. |
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