This consultation closed on Sunday 8 February 2026. The results are now being reviewed, and a summary will be published in due course.
What happens next?
The results of this consultation will be considered by the Full Council at an extraordinary meeting being held on Monday 16 February 2026, where your Councillors will decide whether or not the Town Council should accept responsibility for the toilets.
Please remember that this consultation was to gather the views of residents and other interested parties, and the decision to take responsibility for toilets, or not to, rests with your Town Councillors. If you have any other points that you feel have not been captured by this consultation, please contact your local Town Councillor(s).
The Background
In late 2023, Ceredigion County Council approached Aberystwyth Town Council stating that, due to budgetary pressures, they were considering cuts to non-statutory services over coming years, including cuts to public toilets. It was explained that if Aberystwyth Town Council could not provide financial support or take responsibility for the public toilets, they would likely be closed.
Over the two years since, Aberystwyth Town Council has provided financial support and been engaged in negotiation with Ceredigion County Council to take responsibility for the public toilets. These negotiations are still ongoing, and no final decision has been reached, however we are now in a position to consult our residents. The current suggested position is to take over two toilets.
The Numbers
This potential transfer has significant implications on Aberystwyth Town Council’s budget. It is estimated, from 2024-25 figures provided by Ceredigion County Council, that two toilets (the Castle & Park Avenue) will cost a combined net amount of £40,000 per annum, including cleaning staff, materials, maintenance and vandalism repairs.
This represents an approximately 6.09% increase to our budget, or a £9.50 per annum increase to our portion of the Council Tax (“The Precept”) paid by a Band D property (based on 2025-26 figures).
Based on our current draft budget (which is subject to change) for next year, 2026-27, without the transfer of public toilets our portion of the Council Tax (“The Precept”) will increase by just 1.19%.
The Ask
Because this is such a significant undertaking, Aberystwyth Town Council would like to hear your views to help us decide on the future of Aberystwyth’s public toilets.
Please complete our questionnaire to give us your views.
For more information, or if you have questions before completing the questionnaire, please contact the Town Council Office on 01970 624 761 or council@aberystwyth.gov.uk.
The Decision
This consultation is to gather the opinions of, and a chance to consult with, interested parties regarding the public toilets. The decision to take the toilets on, or not, ultimately would rest with your Town Councillors. We encourage you to contact them if you have any particular points not captured in this consultation, or if you wish to discuss the matter further.