Teignbridge Council wants to offload loos, lido and manor house

Handing over the keys to a sixteenth century manor house and asking other people if they want to run the district's loos are two of the ways Teignbridge Council is looking to make ends meet.

Town and parish councils will be asked if they want to take responsibility for their toilets.

The district council has no legal duty to provide them but up to now has done so anyway. Now it is reviewing "all potential options." Councillors were keen to stress that they are not bulldozing toilets, just considering handing them over to other providers.

The lavatorial debate came as members of the full council discussed the 'Modern 25' project which looks at ways of saving money in response to dwindling funds from central government.

Teignmouth Lido could also be offered to another group to run, but again councillors stressed that there is no desire to close the popular pool.

However, a report for the meeting said it could save nearly £700,000 if it didn't maintain and provide public toilets, the lido and Old Forde House at Newton Abbot.

"It is unfortunate that the council has no money to invest in Old Forde House," said Cllr Andrew MacGregor (SD Alliance, Bishopsteignton). "But it has a cost-heavy impact on the council's finances.

"We should look at all the options to see what can be done there, whether it is with a community interest organisation or a private business."

Old Forde House dates to around 1550, and is noted for its fine wood-carving and plasterwork. Teignbridge Council bought it in 1978 to use it as office and conference space.

It subsequently built its current modern offices next door.

Cllr Andy Henderson (Lib Dem, Teignmouth West) said it is vital that local people are consulted properly over the future of the lido, and Cllr Alison Foden (Lib Dem, Dawlish SW) said there is a crisis in public toilet provision and it is important to keep them open..

Cllr Martin Wrigley (Lib Dem, Dawlish NE) told the meeting: "Modern 25 is about modernising the way we provide things. It's not a cost-cutting exercise, it's an exercise in change.

"It has long been clear that this council is not the best custodian of Old Forde House. We have not used that building to its maximum, and I think somebody else can do that better."

He said the council's financial position is 'serious', with uncertainties ahead, and it is important to have all the information at hand.

"This is a positive thing," he said. "It's exactly where we need to be going."