COUNCILLORS are looking to take out a loan of up to £185,000 to help fund the transformation of the Longforth Road public toilets in Wellington.

It has been suggested that Wellington Town Council looks at applying to the Public Works Loan Board (PWLB) for funding to finance the project.

It was agreed in November the council would go-ahead with the refurbishment of the toilet block to consist of three cubicles and disabled facilities, although it has now been suggested the existing building be demolished and rebuilt.

Town clerk Dave Farrow told councillors at their latest meeting that an approximate cost of the work had been placed at about £170,000.

"I have also explored the cost of demolishing the old block and building a new one," he said. "Indicative demolition costs are up to £15,000 and new build costs are anticipated to be the same as refurbishing it, so a total cost of around £185,000. We would then have a brand new building."

Councillors heard a PWLB loan would help to spread the cost over a longer period of time rather than leave local council taxpayers facing a big jump in the precept.

It was explained that a £170,000 loan over 20 years would result in a £1.93 increase a year on the precept for a Band D household, while it would be £2.10 a year on a £185,000 loan over 20 years.

They have agreed in principle to support the idea of applying for a loan from the PWLB.

Cllr Andrew Govier said: "I fully support this as a way forward - it’s a good way of us refurbishing or replacing the building."

Cllr Nancy Powell-Brace added: "I support this 100 per cent. The sooner we get started on this the better - let’s flatten it and start again."

And Cllr Sean Pringle-Kosikowsky said: "I’m totally in favour of doing the toilet block and a loan like this would be a perfect way of doing it without affecting our budgets on a drastic level."

Cllr John Thorne said: "The toilets are very important to the town and this is the way to do it and spread the cost.

"If we took this money from the council’s reserves we would be leaving ourselves dangerously low or it would go on the precept in one year, which I don’t think would be fair."

It was agreed that the town clerk would draw up budget options and repayment plans for a potential PWLB loan.

Cllr James Hunt said he would be happy to see the loan paid back over a shorter time as opposed to 20 or 25 years.

£185k bill to replace town centre toilets