MACHYNLLETH Town Council should take over the freehold of public toilets in the town despite a contract clause insisting that the facility will have to be returned to Powys Council if the toilets do not remain open, councillors have agreed.

As part of an agreement between the town council and county council, there would be a clause saying that unless the toilets remain open for use as a community facility then they could have to be returned to Powys County Council, along with a condition that if the town council tries to sell the facility it would first have to be offered back to the county council.

Cllr Rhydian Mason raised concerns about whether that meant the town council could be “penalised” if it is decided they can’t afford to keep the toilets open and have to close them even on a temporary basis.

Cllr Michael Williams said not having public toilets in Machynlleth would send out a poor message to visitors and tourists.

He said: “A town the size of Machynlleth which always wants to promote itself as a place of welcome and a place for tourists.

“I can’t see a town such as Machynlleth without public conveniences.

“It would be devastating for the town.”

Cllr Mason said he wanted the town council to be able to keep the toilets open, but said it was important that councillors understood the situation they were agreeing to.

He said that if the council found it couldn’t afford to keep the toilets open for a short period it could mean the town council having to hand the facility back.

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