North Yorkshire Council’s leadership accepted that everything has a price as they backed plans to introduce 40p charges for using public toilets.

Members of the authority’s executive panel gathering on Tuesday opted to review the council’s lavatory infrastructure, which would involve introducing a standard entry fee.

The decision went ahead despite resistance from Norton division member Keane Duncan, who pushed for keeping toilets free across North Yorkshire.

Cllr Duncan spoke to fellow members during the meeting at Ripon Town Hall, stating that members of the public who had contacted him considered public toilets to be an essential service that should remain free.

He acknowledged the council’s financial pressures but expressed hope that the executive would agree introducing toilet charges should never be the council’s first step. He said it should only be looked at as a last resort and solely where it proved both workable and cost-effective.

He asked for assurance that every conceivable option would be fully examined before any moves to introduce charges or carry out closures.

However, Councillor Richard Foster, the cabinet member for environmental services, insisted that user fees are required to improve toilet facilities.

He said he was aware of the free toilets campaign, which would be wonderful, but costs were involved and unfortunately, nothing comes at no charge.

He noted that someone ultimately pays the bill—cleaning expenses, utility costs, electricity, and provisions for toilets all have price tags.

Panel members chose to set the charge at 40p instead of the higher 50p option that had been proposed.