Boscastle Community Interest Company
Boscastle public toilets: Community consultation
Following continued discussions with Cornwall Council, we have now received a final response regarding the future of Boscastle’s public toilets.
- No funding support – Cornwall Council has confirmed that no financial provision is available for the toilets.
- No change to car park charges – The transport department will not reinstate the levy on parking or consider localised control of the car park at this time.
- No update on further arrangements – No progress from Cornwall Council expected before the pre-election period.
Given this response, Boscastle CIC will now launch a public consultation to determine the next steps for the community. An online consultation will run until 12th March 2025, allowing residents, businesses, and stakeholders to have their say on how the toilets should be funded or managed moving forward.
How have the toilets been funded up until now?
🟢 The toilets cost between £19,000 and £22,000 per year, depending on usage and operating costs.
🟢 The CIC received a £12,000 levy from Cornwall Council, funded by an increase in car park charges.
🟢 Cornwall Council removed the levy during the last Parking Order review, meaning the CIC lost this funding source.
🟢 The remaining funds have come from the 20p door entry system, which covers roughly 1/3 of the running costs.
Why can’t Cornwall Council continue funding the toilets?
Cornwall Council does not have a statutory obligation to provide public toilets and has removed most of its funding for their upkeep. The £12,000 levy that previously supported the Boscastle toilets was removed when parking charges were simplified across Cornwall. Despite efforts to reinstate the levy, Cornwall Council has confirmed they will not reconsider this.
What are the options for keeping the toilets open?
The community will decide the best way forward through this consultation. The key options include:
💰 Increasing the entry charge & parish council tax (precept) – Raising the door charge and increasing the local precept to cover costs.
🚐 Selling community assets (e.g., the minibus) – Selling the CIC’s assets to fund toilet provision for a limited time.
❌ Permanent closure – Returning the toilets to Cornwall Council, where they may be sold or repurposed.
⏳ Temporary closure – Closing the toilets while further solutions are explored, though there is a risk Cornwall Council may sell the site.
What happens if no solution is found?
If no viable funding model is agreed upon:
🚧 The CIC may return the toilets to Cornwall Council, which has indicated it may sell the site for redevelopment.
❌ This would mean the loss of public toilet facilities in Boscastle permanently.
⏳ A temporary closure could be an option while alternative solutions are explored, but this comes with the risk that Cornwall Council could still decide to sell the site.
Is there only the online consultation?
The Annual Parish Meeting has the topic for discussion and can serve as an open meeting for those who wish to represent their views in person.
📅 Annual Parish Meeting – 27th March 2025, 7pm, Village Hall