The payment systems at Porthtowan and Trevaunance Cove public toilets were introduced primarily to help keep these facilities open.
Income from the payment doors will also support improvements over time, but its first purpose is to contribute towards the substantial cost of providing the existing service.
Keeping the toilets open
For 2026/27, it will cost more than £58,000 to keep the Parish Council’s three public toilet sites open. This includes rates, water and electricity, repairs and maintenance, waste disposal, cleaning and staffing, as well as everyday supplies such as toilet paper and soap.
Income from the payment systems helps meet these costs and reduces the amount that needs to be funded through the Parish Council element of Council Tax.
Without this additional income, the Council would have had to consider whether it could afford to continue providing the service. The Council did not want to see these well-used public facilities close.
What about improvements?
We understand that residents and visitors want comfortable, well-maintained facilities.
Possible improvements, including hot water, warmer hand-drying facilities and showers, are under consideration.
Each year, Council officers review the maintenance needs of Council-owned assets and services, identify possible improvements and obtain costs. This information feeds into the annual budget-setting process, when councillors usually make decisions between October and December for the following financial year.
For the next budget cycle, this means decisions would relate to the financial year from April 2027 to March 2028.
Any improvement must take into account not only the initial installation cost, but also ongoing running costs, risks and longer-term liabilities.
The introduction of payment doors has significantly reduced antisocial behaviour, but unfortunately it has not eliminated it. Damage still occurs, including blocked sinks and toilets that can cause flooding, and there remains a risk of small fires.
These practical considerations are part of assessing changes to facilities that are generally unattended.
The payment systems are also relatively new, so the Council is still building a reliable picture of the income they will generate. This will help us understand what additional expenditure may be affordable and sustainable alongside the basic cost of keeping the toilets open.
Parish residents do not need to pay each time
Residents already contribute towards the cost of the public toilets through the Parish Council element of their Council Tax and can therefore apply for a resident access card.
The card provides unlimited use of the payment systems at both Porthtowan and Trevaunance Cove for a one-off charge of £10.
This covers the direct cost to the Council of the chipped plastic card required to operate the payment doors. Providing every resident with a free card would cost the Council more than £80,000, which is not a cost it can reasonably meet.
Once the card has been issued, however, there is no ongoing charge for using the facilities.
To get a resident access card, please visit the Parish Office with your most recent Council Tax bill showing payment to St Agnes Parish Council, photo identification such as a driving licence, and £10.
The office cannot currently accept card payments, although we are working to change this in the coming weeks.
Staff will then be happy to issue your resident access card.
Keeping you informed
Residents’ feedback helps inform the Council’s decision-making.
Council meeting dates, agendas and minutes are available on our website, and residents are welcome to attend meetings and raise relevant matters during public participation.
We will also continue to share updates through the Council’s website, newsletter and social media.
Our priority is to keep these public toilets open and available for residents and visitors, while carefully considering how the facilities can be improved within the resources available.