SEVEN public toilets across the county look set to close in November under Pembrokeshire County Council’s plans to reduce the number it operates.

The toilets earmarked for closure include Burton, Fishguard The Square, Milford Haven Manchester Square, The Parade and Black Horse in Pembroke, and Front Street and Hobbs Point in Pembroke Dock.

Following further consultation with public, these toilets will be closed from November 8th.

In these cases town and community councils were either unable or unwilling to take on the running costs.

A review into 28 of the council’s toilets began in March.

At present the council maintains 93 public toilets across the county at an annual cost of £1.5m a year.

The council came up with the plans, following consultation with town and community councils, and other organisations.

It is hoped the other 19 toilets under review will be handed over to town and community councils, which expressed an interest in taking over running costs, by April next year.

These include Clynderwen, Croesgoch, Crymych, Dinas Cross Gwaun Valley, Lawrenny, Letterston, Llangwm Black Tar, Llanstadwell, Maenclochog, Mathry, Milford Haven The Rath, Nevern, Neyland Brunel Quay, St Davids Quickwell Hill, St Ishmaels, St Florence, Trevine and Upper Solva.

If these proposals do not look viable by the end of December, these toilets will be closed by March 31 2014.

The Council is also looking at drafting in private companies to manage the remaining 67 toilets, with 20p charges likely to be introduced.

The environment overview and scrutiny committee endorsed the proposals at a meeting last Thursday (September 5).

Cabinet member for environmental and regulatory services Councillor Huw George said: “With substantial elements of funding ring-fenced for aspects of education and social care, the pressure to make savings is falling predominantly on non mandatory services, such as public toilets.

“We recognise that public toilets play a role in supporting tourism and also that they are important to many people such as the elderly, and disabled, which is why we are actively seeking alternative ways of running them.”

Consultation questionnaires are available at www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/haveyousay or by phoning 01437 764551.

The deadline for responses is Monday October 7.