Labour opposition councillors on Bath and North East Somerset Council are pushing back against a proposed £10,000 reduction in the council’s public toilet contract, part of wider efforts to cut £250,000 from the 25 largest external contracts. While the council maintains this 2% cut to the £5 million public toilet budget will not diminish services, Labour warns it may harm important community amenities.
The Labour group is also demanding that contracts held by charities and voluntary organizations be exempt from these cuts, highlighting the disproportionate impact on smaller providers delivering vital social care and educational services to vulnerable residents.
The proposed amendments will be debated at the full council meeting on February 24, where the 2026/27 budget will be finalized. The budget includes a potential council tax increase of up to 4.99%.
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Bath tour guide Ed Browning joined Labour councillors in voicing concerns at the cabinet meeting on February 12. Last July, the council unanimously agreed to review Bath’s limited public toilet provision after Browning described the distress caused to elderly residents by the shortages.
“This potential £10,000 cut may seem small in a £5 million budget—but didn’t we agree we need investment?” Browning asked. “Bath is a top UK tourist destination, yet our public toilet facilities are embarrassingly inadequate. Of the 20 toilets funded by B&NES across the district, 16 are not free and close overnight.”
In response, Mark Elliott, cabinet member for resources, insisted the savings target would not reduce public convenience services, describing it as standard contract management practice rather than a service cut. “Our goal is to ensure we get the best value for public money from our suppliers,” he said.
Paul Roper, cabinet member responsible for public toilets, acknowledged the high costs and frequent vandalism challenges. “We are exploring ways to expand toilet provision, but running costs are very high due to damage and upkeep,” he explained.
Labour’s proposed amendments also call for excluding charitable and third-sector contracts from cuts, warning that smaller organizations may struggle more than large commercial firms during contract negotiations.
The opposition is further advocating for an expansion of the discovery card scheme to offer residents discounted rates on more council services, as well as a paid “city pass” option for tourists. The administration had considered introducing charges for resident discovery cards but shelved plans after public feedback.
Despite Labour’s six seats on the 59-member council, Liberal Democrats hold the majority with 39 councillors. The council faces rising social care costs and reduced government funding, prompting the budget with proposed tax rises aimed at preventing future care needs while maintaining core services.
Elliott emphasized, “Our residents still enjoy among the lowest council tax rates in the southwest, and this budget avoids the drastic service cuts other councils have had to impose.”
The full council meeting to vote on the budget and tax rise will be held at Bath’s Guildhall on February 24 at 6:30 pm.