Three public toilets in Pembrokeshire facing the potential threat of closure by the County Council are being given a breathing space in the hope agreements in their future running can be made.

A report presented to members of Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet meeting of September 7 by Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services Cllr Rhys Sinnett, said the council currently directly manages and maintain 54 public conveniences through a cleaning and maintenance contract with Danfo (UK) Ltd.

Back in 2023, negotiations for alternative funding streams, including community council and national park funding to keep toilets open were entered into with some toilets closing after that date.

The National Park has agreed to continue to fund 10 toilets, the report said: (Little Haven, Manorbier Beach, Newport Traeth Mawr, Saundersfoot Regency, Poppit Sands, Angle Beach, Broad Haven, Freshwater East, Solva, and St Brides) for the next two years at £122,896.37 per annum.

Since the 2023 consultations Marloes, Burton, The Grove St Davids, Newgale South, Cresswell Quay, and Penally have closed.

Asset transfers have taken place to town/community councils at: Llanstadwell, Porthgain, Nolton, Moylegrove and Nevern, St Davids Bryn Road, Cwm yr Eglwys, and Kilgetty, with Newgale North sold and reopened as a café/ toilet.

Back in late 2023 the potential fate of three further toilets facing the threat of potential closure was included.

Carew was facing closure by April 2024 unless alternative funding was found, to allow time for the Community Council to reconsider its position on potential funding; a date later extended.

Cabinet members at the September meeting were recommended to back writing to the Community Council setting out the previous decision and that if there is no alternative funding agreed before November 31, the toilets will be closed.

The Parrog, Newport has faced a similar extension of timelines, with the Town Council are continuing to liaise with the landowner in relation to land transfers /purchase; if no conclusion is made by next March, it is recommended the toilets will be closed.

In Neyland, the Town Council and the authority have actively been dealing with the transfer of this facility; a cut-off date of November 1 recommended.

Members were also asked to scope out options for Tenby’s North Beach toilet and Haverfordwest’s Castle Lake toilets.

In the case of North Beach, it is recommended to continue funding it but to “investigate income generating opportunities such as charging to use or linking to other sources of funding,” adding: “This toilet has very high footfall is a very busy toilet linked to the beach. It is now proposed to scope out options for this facility to ensure it meets current demand and future proof and revert to Cabinet with a business case in early 2027.”

In the case of Castle Lake, it is proposed to undertake a full review and report back to Cabinet in early 2027 with a business case of either upgrading the existing facilities or closing them and build new ones within Castle Lake car park, offering an opportunity to enhance the car park.

Speaking at the meeting, Cabinet Member for finance, Cllr Jon Harvey disputed “a narrative we’ve been closing toilets left-right-and-centre,” saying that “the reality is we’ve shut six toilets with a potential for another three; the reality is we haven’t shut very many at all.”

Members backed the recommendations in the report.