People have objected to the possible closure of seafront public toilets to save money. Eastbourne Borough Council is considering “painful savings” to fill a £2.7 million budget deficit, having already made £3 million in cuts.
Among the proposed savings is a review of the council-owned public toilets as part of a community toilet scheme where businesses could be asked to open their doors to their facilities, while some public toilets could close. At the council’s cabinet meeting concern was raised over the implications of the possible closure of public facilities, with one audience member heckling the council and calling the proposal “shameful”. Councillor Stephen Holt, leader of Eastbourne Borough Council, said in the meeting that if toilets were vandalised during the consultation period for the scheme, they could be closed.
READ MORE: Council faces over £100 million budget deficit and will have to make cuts He said: “It is an incredibly challenging period of time at the moment and we have to make these savings to set a balanced budget. “The public toilets will remain open during the consultation, but if they are vandalised we are not going to pay for something which a consultation may close.” To this, the public gallery erupted into protestations and cries of “shame on you”, as one member of the public implored Cllr Holt to consider the impact on businesses.
Speaking to Cllr Holt, a member of the Friends of Eastbourne Seafront said: “Going to the toi.