Mansfield MP criticises town's proposed public toilets cuts

Proposed cuts to public toilets, events and markets in a Nottinghamshire town are a sign a district council could have "spent better", an MP has said.

Mansfield District Council needs to find £2.2m in savings for the next financial year's budget.

The Labour-run council says a lack of government funding in a difficult economic climate is to blame.

Ben Bradley, the town's MP, has raised concerns about the impact of the cuts on residents who rely on them.

It is proposed the public toilets in Mansfield Woodhouse and Warsop will close - although the council is attempting to find a way to save the latter with Warsop Parish Council.

The budgets for markets, floral displays, events and Mansfield Museum would also be cut, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).

Mr Bradley, who is also Nottinghamshire County Council leader, said: "I try not to be in the business of criticising local stakeholders because I want to work with people constructively. But it's really difficult in this context where decisions will really affect local residents.

"Losing public toilets in particular will have a great impact on vulnerable residents especially.

"More widely cutting grants to community groups will have an impact on support for vulnerable communities.

"I can't help but feel that when we talked about money being spent on flats it owns in London, that money could have been managed better and spent better."

The council says its budget has been put together following extensive consultation with residents.

It needs to close a £5m budget gap in the three financial years to 2026-27.

Mansfield mayor Andy Abrahams said: "We would expect our MP for Mansfield to support us through these extremely challenging economic times instead of criticising."

He previously said: "It has been well documented that we have some tough choices to make so that the council has long-term financially stability.

"Like many councils, Mansfield has experienced a reduction in government funding, coupled with the increased inflation and costs of delivering services, we must find efficiencies."

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