The Parish Council meeting held on 21 October considered this issue in some detail. Repair costs over the next 10 years are estimated at £20,812, on top of the running costs below. A decision NOT to open discussions with WODC was taken on a majority vote. Council Chairman Ross Macken commented that lower tiers of government are expected more and more to undertake the cost of running services with no extra funding allocation.
The Parish Council budget and precept for 2026-7 will be considered over the next few months. Details for the current year are attached (Annex B of the Council meeting held on 17 December 2024).
DATELINE 10/10/2025: The public toilets in Back Lane car park cost £8.69 per visit to run and could be closed unless the Parish Council takes them over
The District Council is proposing to explore the transfer of underused or high-cost facilities to local councils, following a comprehensive review. The overall annual cost reaches £270,000, even after the 20p charge. Details for Eynsham follow.
|
Income
|
Running Cost |
Footfall |
Cost per use |
|
£236 |
£10,515 |
1183 |
£8.69 |
The block was installed in July 2009, with an official opening at the end of August (pictured above) by WODC Cllr David Harvey, and has been valued by cyclists and walkers who use the car park as a starting point, as well as visitors by car. Cllr Harvey said, “Providing high quality and well maintained toilets is important and so we are pleased to be re-instating this facility in the Eynsham car park as part of our promise to improve West Oxfordshire’s public conveniences.”
The new report notes that ‘alternative facilities located nearby’ include a coffee shop, a restaurant, a hotel and 2 Pubs. No final decisions will be made until local councils have been consulted. Where transfer cannot be achieved, the facilities will be closed.
‘Where facilities are located in Council-owned car parks it will be appropriate for the District Council to retain the freehold and transfer the public conveniences on a long lease’, says the new report. ‘This avoids complications should the wider site ever be considered for sale or redevelopment.’
The public toilets on Oxford Road playing fields were closed in 2019 as part of a cost-saving measure.