Town councils to take on toilets in Stourport and Bewdley
News release issued:
Two town councils are set to play an even more significant role in the way local services are delivered in their area with the transfer of two public toilet facilities from Wyre Forest District Council.
Toilets at Riverside Meadows in Stourport-on-Severn are going to be the responsibility of Stourport Town Council in April.
A month later, the district council is expecting to handover Bewdley’s Load Street toilets to Bewdley Town Council.
Through its localism initiative, Wyre Forest District Council is supporting Town and Parish Councils, as well as other community organisations, to take ownership of assets or to run services.
In March 2022, Stourport Town Council took on the ownership and management of Britannia Gardens play area in Stourport-on-Severn from Wyre Forest District Council.
In September 2021, Riverside North Park and play area were handed over to Bewdley Town Council. The town council now owns and manages both the park and the play area.
Leader of Wyre Forest District Council, Councillor Helen Dyke said: “I am delighted, thanks to the cooperation of Stourport and Bewdley Town Councils, we have been able to secure the long-term future of two popular facilities. Through our Localism Strategy, we are working closely with town and parish councils across the district to help them develop their activities and deliver more local services. We continue to face pressures on our funding, so it is important we work collaboratively to try to make sure the services our residents value are still available.”
Councillor Howard Williams, Stourport Town Council said: “The public toilets on Stourport's Riverside are important to the town, not just for the residents, but for the numerous visitors. Therefore, the Town Council took the view that they should take over the responsibility for them from Wyre Forest District Council. After some essential repairs were completed, we are progressing to complete the handover in April once the legalities are finalised."
Bewdley Town Council’s Clerk, Tracy Bodley said: “Bewdley Town Council is happy to announce that the public toilet located in Load Street will soon be in its ownership. The transfer of this asset will continue to provide a much-needed amenity for visitors to this beautiful town with the council agreeing a contract on waste collection in readiness for the handover in order that continuity of service is maintained.”