With Pembrokeshire County Council considering closing more and more public toilets across the county, the coastal village of Penally is the latest to see their conveniences come under threat.

At this month’s meeting of the Community Council, members were asked to consider the proposed Precept budget for 2025-26.

The Clerk presented the accounts to date, with additional forecasts to the year-end which included commitments for the purchase of Speed Signs, works at the Community/Memorial Gardens and the Pétanque project in the park.

Cllr Snow reported that at a recent meeting of the Finance Group it was agreed that a Precept amount of £20,000 would be required for the next budget; with Cllr Walsh proposing the sum of £20,000 be submitted to Pembrokeshire County Council as the Precept payment for 2025-26. Cllr Richards seconded the proposal and all councillors were in agreement.

However, during discussions, the topic of considering the long term responsibility of Penally’s public toilets came up on the agenda, with Cllr Boyle reporting that an additional £12,000 would need to be added to the Precept for the next budget year to service and maintain the toilets in the village, which are situated by the train station.

As this would impact on council tax by increasing premiums; Cllr Boyle proposed the public toilets remain the responsibility of the County Council and the decision on whether to permanently close or continue operating the facility would fall on PCC.

The Clerk also read correspondence received from members of the public objecting to the proposed closure of the toilets

Cllr Snow seconded the proposal, with all councillors in agreement.

A similar scenario has arisen at another well visited spot not far away, with the Local Authority set to permanently close the public toilets at Carew from April 1, despite some ardent campaigning.