In 2024, Conwy County Borough Council announced that 19 of its 40 public toilets would close. Janet Finch-Saunders, the Member of the Welsh Parliament for Aberconwy, has called for greater access to public toilets across the constituency and criticised the impacts that the cuts have had on vulnerable residents.
Janet commented:
“Access to public toilets is not a luxury , it is a basic, humane service that local authorities should provide.
“I have had numerous constituents raise this as a key concern. Many people now feel they cannot stay out in public spaces, go for walks, or enjoy what our area has to offer for as long as they would like because the facilities simply are not there. This particularly affects elderly residents, families with young children, and people living with medical conditions who rely on accessible toilets.
“One constituent told me they went on a long walk with friends and, when they finally reached Llanrwst, they discovered the public toilet locked. Situations like this leave people feeling embarrassed, uncomfortable, and in some cases unable to leave their homes for long periods.
“In many cases it has been local businesses stepping in where the Council has stepped back. For example, the George and Dragon Public House has kindly opened its toilets to members of the public, something they should not have to do to compensate for cuts in basic public services.
“These closures were originally justified as part of the Council managing its budget. Yet residents are now facing another 6% increase in council tax , around 30% over the past three years, with some households paying an additional £207 per year.
“If residents are being asked to pay more and more each year, it is not unreasonable to expect the Council to maintain basic services. Cutting access to something as fundamental as public toilets sends entirely the wrong message about the priorities of the Council.
“Without action, residents and visitors alike will continue to struggle, vulnerable people will be disproportionately affected, and the reputation of our towns , along with the local economy, will suffer.”
ENDS
Photo: Janet Finch-Saunders MS/AS
Yn 2024, cyhoeddodd Cyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Conwy y byddai 19 o'i 40 o doiledau cyhoeddus yn cau. Mae Janet Finch-Saunders, AS Aberconwy, wedi galw am fwy o fynediad i doiledau cyhoeddus ar draws yr etholaeth ac wedi beirniadu effeithiau'r toriadau ar breswylwyr agored i niwed.
Dywedodd Janet:
“Nid yw mynediad i doiledau cyhoeddus yn rhywbeth moethus - mae'n wasanaeth sylfaenol, dynol y dylai awdurdodau lleol ei ddarparu.
“Mae llawer o etholwyr wedi codi'r mater hwn gyda mi. Mae llawer o bobl bellach yn teimlo nad ydyn nhw'n gallu aros allan mewn mannau cyhoeddus, mynd am dro, neu fwynhau'r hyn sydd gan ein hardal i'w gynnig am nad yw'r cyfleusterau yno. Mae hyn yn effeithio ar breswylwyr oedrannus yn arbennig, teuluoedd â phlant ifanc, a phobl sy'n byw gyda chyflyrau meddygol sy'n dibynnu ar doiledau hygyrch.
“Dywedodd un etholwr wrthyf ei fod wedi mynd am dro hir gyda ffrindiau a phan gyrhaeddon nhw Llanrwst o'r diwedd, dyma ddarganfod bod y toiled cyhoeddus wedi cloi. Mae sefyllfaoedd fel hyn yn achosi embaras i bobl, yn gwneud iddyn nhw deimlo'n anghyfforddus, ac mewn rhai achosion mae’n golygu eu bod nhw’n methu gadael eu cartrefi am gyfnodau hir.
“Mewn llawer o achosion mae busnesau lleol wedi camu i'r adwy yn lle'r Cyngor. Er enghraifft, mae Tafarn y George and Dragon wedi agor ei doiledau i'r cyhoedd, rhywbeth na ddylen nhw orfod ei wneud i wneud iawn am doriadau i’r gwasanaethau cyhoeddus sylfaenol.
“Roedd y Cyngor wedi cyfiawnhau'r holl achosion o gau toiledau yn wreiddiol mewn ymdrechion i reoli ei gyllideb. Ond mae trigolion bellach yn wynebu cynnydd arall o 6% yn y dreth gyngor, tua 30% dros y tair blynedd diwethaf, gyda rhai aelwydydd yn talu £207 ychwanegol y flwyddyn.
“Os ydyn nhw'n gofyn i drigolion dalu mwy a mwy bob blwyddyn, nid yw'n afresymol disgwyl i'r Cyngor gynnal gwasanaethau sylfaenol. Mae torri mynediad i rywbeth mor
sylfaenol â thoiledau cyhoeddus yn anfon neges hollol anghywir am flaenoriaethau'r Cyngor.
“Heb weithredu, bydd trigolion ac ymwelwyr fel ei gilydd yn parhau i gael trafferth, bydd pobl agored i niwed yn cael eu heffeithio'n anghymesur, a bydd enw da ein trefi, ynghyd â'r economi leol, yn dioddef.”
DIWEDD
Llun: Janet Finch-Saunders AS
