The public finance squeeze is being brought home to Perthshire communities as the latest in a raft of detailed cuts are outlined.
Public toilet availability across the area is to be slashed, and there is a warning that community playparks will also be removed to trim maintenance costs.
Wednesday’s moves prompted bitter debates at the council’s environment committee meeting as opposition members tried to stop the changes taking place but were told “unpalatable” economic realities have to be faced down.
The committee voted to cut the number of “comfort schemes” introduced in 2007 as manned public toilets were scaled back from 35 to 25, saving £18,000. A decision to remove 20 playparks from use was deferred for further consultation and it was also agreed to scale back grounds maintenance work.
All the steps were included in this year’s budget process in outline and the committee was asked to approve the detail.
The initial comfort scheme project, in which businesses were paid to let the public use their facilities, was contentious as rural communities argued it would hit their tourist trade.
Committee convener Alan Grant said the council can no longer afford to pay so many businesses for the service but stressed no community would be left without access to at least one toilet.
Opposition Conservative member Ian Campbell said his group was “dismayed” by the cuts, pointing out the initial aim had been to have 80 comfort schemes.
He said, “Presumably the target … is now no more than a distant dream and presumably the rationale of stimulating economic growth, the concerns of economic decline and the essential standards of a modern civilised society have sunk slowly without a trace.
“We believe the proposed saving of £18,000 does not balance well against the damage being done to the reputation, economy and standards of provision expected of a major tourist economy like Perthshire.”
Labour councillor Callum Gillies was concerned about the playpark closure programme. It would save £115,000 in maintenance costs and, officers said, feature smaller parks. Officials also say the changes could be made without leaving children too far to go for their nearest park.
But Mr Gillies said, “We’re robbing children of the right to have a play area in a locality where they’re safe and their parents know where they are. There are distances to walk and busy roads to cross.
“On the one hand we’re telling kids to get out the house and play and on the other hand saying we’re going to close their parks.”
Mr Grant agreed to defer the move to ensure the right parks are targeted but warned if some escape the axe, others elsewhere will have to be closed instead.
The comfort schemes being axed:Baiglie Inn (Aberargie) Alyth Hotel (Alyth) Bankfoot Inn (Bankfoot) Blackford Hotel (Blackford) Bell Tree Inn (Methven) Kinloch Arms Hotel (Meigle) Tayside Hotel (Stanley) Scottish Liqueur Centre (Bankfoot) Boathouse Bistro (Kinross) Esso Broxden (Perth).
The proposed playparks being cut (all Perth unless stated):Cromlix Road Castle View Moulin Crescent Larch Place Primrose Terrace Matthews Drive McLeish Place Nimmo Place Ritchie Place Errochty Grove Robertson Road Trinafour Putting Green and Tayside Crescent (Aberfeldy)Elm Court (Alyth)The Oaks, one site (Crieff)Montgomery Road and Leisure Pool (Kinross)Torwood (Birnam)Glebe (Fossoway).