Council can ‘get stuffed’ over ‘stinking’ Haltwhistle toilets

For the second year running, town and parish councils across the district are being asked to fund Northumberland County Council’s management of the facilities, which are relied upon by tourists.

The cash-strapped authority is under pressure to make efficiency savings as a result of Government funding cuts.

But members of Haltwhistle Town Council say the authority’s Labour administration should “get stuffed,” unless major improvements are made to their much used toilets, on Westgate.

At Monday’s town council meeting, Coun. Kevin Little said: “I think they are blackmailing us once again. They are not making savings; they are just transferring the cost of keeping the toilets open during the winter months to the taxpayer in Haltwhistle, and in other parts of this district. I think it’s time to tell them to get stuffed.”

Coun. Jeanette Kendrew said: “Those toilets are absolutely stinking. It’s embarrassing when people go inside them. They need to be knocked down and rebuilt, or at the very least refurbished.”

Coun. Margaret Forrest said: “They are diabolical. I would not mind if they were shut for the winter months.

“I would say that unless we see urgent improvement in the condition of those toilets, just shut them.”

Coun. Graham Ridley pointed out that the current toilet block at Haltwhistle dates back to 1925, and it was about time they received investment.

Chairing the meeting, Coun. Alan Sharp said the town council would invite local authority chiefs to examine the public conveniences at Westgate.

The council agreed to defer its decision over payment of the £2,000 for winter opening, until its next meeting on October 3.

Meanwhile, Allendale Parish Council is also considering whether to pay up, or close the toilets for winter.

Twelve months ago, the parish council refused to fork out the £2,000, opting instead to work with local businesses made their toilets facilities open for visitors to the town.