Shirehall's street lights offer to Ludlow Town Council

Shropshire Council officials could take on the maintenance of Ludlow's street lights - if town councillors agree to run public toilets. Shirehall officials have offered the olive branch to Ludlow Town Council.

It is part of a bid to encourage town and parish councils in the county to take on public toilets.

And they have also announced plans for a community toilet scheme, which will include approaching "commercial providers" to provide facilities for people needing to spend a penny.

The ideas were discussed at last night's meeting of Ludlow Town Council's policy and finance committee.

Members agreed to give town clerk Veronica Calderbank delegated powers to negotiate with Shropshire Council before councillors make a final decision at a future meeting.

Ms Calderbank said she hoped to strike a "cost neutral" deal with Shropshire Council, which would see Shirehall officials take on an agreed number of street lights to offset the costs of running public toilets.

Ludlow Town Council has an annual budget of £35,000 to pay for the maintenance of street lights in the town.

Committee members warned that any loss of public toilet provision would be a "disaster" for the town and its tourist appeal, and said local residents wanted to see more public toilets in the town, not less.

Shropshire Council has asked town and parish councils to take over public toilets as part of cost-cutting measures. If town and parish councils refuse, some toilets will be closed.