COUNCIL bosses have announced plans to hand over the running of public toilet facilities in Largs  - but have warned that if there's no interest from community groups they'll close before the busy summer season.

A North Ayrshire Council document reveals that public conveniences at Broomfields, Aubery, the Pencil and Mackerston face a two-month period of community engagement from next month to identify potential interest in a community asset transfer.

If there is no interest, the report says, they will close thereafter.

The newly revamped public toilets in Gallowgate Street, which are having pay gates installed this week, will 'continue to be supported'.

Councillors from across North Ayrshire are to consider the report at a meeting on January 24, when they'll be asked to rubber-stamp the consultation plan.

Audrey Sutton, NAC assistant director, said in the report: "With the opportunity provided by the recently completed refurbishment of the Gallowgate site in Largs, consideration should be given to the future options for the remaining public conveniences.

"These options have been designed to ensure that the council and its partners continue to develop and operate a smaller number of better-equipped facilities within the local authority area."

Aubery Park, Mackerston Place and the Pencil are all closed between October and March.

Aubrey Park only provides male facilities due to long term issues with repairs to the female block - which, the report says, has no prospect of being fixed, due to the close proximity to a pond making costs prohibitive.

The estimated current required investment in the toilets at Broomfield is £62,000, Mackerston Place is £73,000, and the Pencil is £60,000.

The latest round of proposed asset transfers or closures would result in savings of £87,000 per annum on utilities,  operational costs, repairs and maintenance.

Largs and Millport Weekly News: Pencil toilets face battle for survival - this picture shows the Pencil public loos boarded up in 2021Pencil toilets face battle for survival - this picture shows the Pencil public loos boarded up in 2021 (Image: Newsquest)

It also reveals that the full year running costs for the public toilets in 2022-23 was £80,000 - not including utility bills, non-domestic rates and repairs, amounting to a further £50,000.

The report estimates the total employee costs and cleaning supplies is around £60,000 a year - not including 'ad hoc' call-outs following an incident or complaint at any of the sites, which could amount to a further £2,000-£3,000.

Ms Sutton adds: "There is currently no council capital funding available to invest in the public conveniences.

"Should the properties be transferred to community ownership, external funding opportunities could be investigated and pursued by community organisations to support future investment.

"Potential sources of funding include the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund and Communities and Place Fund."

At its budget meeting nearly eight years ago the authority agreed to close public toilets in Arran, Cumbrae, Irvine and West Kilbride with effect from April of the following year, with Cumbrae Community Development Trust running public toilets in Millport, while West Kilbride Community Council has a temporary occupational licence for the facilities in the village.

The new report claims the proposals will address council plan priorities of "transition[ing] to a wellbeing economy, delivering prosperity, wellbeing, and resilience for local people".

It also says they will contribute to having "active, inclusive and resilient communities" and to the authority's goal of achieving 'net zero' by 2030 and having a "community wealth building council that is efficient and accessible".