Row over plan to charge 40p for public toilets

An argument over introducing charges to use a public toilet has the potential to damage plans to devolve services to lower tiers of local government, a councillor has said.

North Yorkshire Council had agreed to transfer the conveniences in Malton to the town council as part of what it has dubbed "double devolution".

However, the deal has been described as a "busted flush" after the town council opted to introduce a 40p charge per use of the Market Place facilities.

The town's mayor has not commented on the issue, but it is understood the argument has meant the transfer deal is in danger of being cancelled.

The deal would have seen the town council receive a one-off grant of £57,000 from the authority to pay for a refurbishment of the facilities.

It would have been the first transfer to a smaller town or parish council since the unitary authority was launched in 2023.

However, the Local Democracy Reporting Service understands the deal is at risk due to concerns from the public over charges.

It prompted the launch of a "free to pee" campaign by Keane Duncan, who represents the neighbouring town of Norton on North Yorkshire Council, with more than 1,500 people signing a petition against the proposal.

Speaking at North Yorkshire Council's meeting on Wednesday, Duncan joked he had recently "spent an unhealthy amount of time outside Malton's public toilets".

Duncan said the town council had agreed to the transfer "behind closed doors and without public consultation".

In a question to executive member for corporate services, Heather Phillips, Duncan added: "Has this toilet mess turned double devolution into double trouble - and a revolution in localism into a local revolt?

"Doesn't it show that when you try to flush democracy down the pan, you may end up knee-deep in political sewage?"

The chair of Malton Town Council and the town's mayor is North Yorkshire Council's independent member, Lindsay Burr.

Phillips said the mayor had taken "a bit of a beasting" after details of the proposed fee for using the toilets emerged and urged people to "show respect and restraint" pointing out the decision was a "corporate" one made by the town council.

It is understood the transfer may be discussed by the town council at its next meeting on 30 July.

Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.