SPENDING a penny may become nothing more than a memory in some areas of the South Hams in 2013 – as the district council looks at ways of cutting costs.

Members of the public could be caught short if proposals to close 16 of the South Hams' 50 public toilets get the go ahead.

The executive committee at the council has already discussed the possibility of saving between £25,000 and £50,000 by closing 16 of their public facilities for between three and six months of the year.

The executive looked at the possibility of seasonal opening – possibly as part of a pilot scheme.

The savings plan has been based upon the seasonal closure of 16 toilets which fitted the criteria of:

• Toilets which could be clearly identified as linked predominantly to seasonal, tourist use.

• The toilets which have overall lower winter usage borne out by utility bills, consumables and water usage figures.

• Toilets which would allow an operational resource (one cleaning round) to cease during the winter closure period which would mean operatives could be redeployed.

The executive looked at the facilities offered by other councils in Devon and found that most authorities have some toilet blocks subject to seasonal openings.

Toilets would be made safe and prepared for winter closure and could also be monitored during periods of closure by passing officers. In talking to other authorities that close public conveniences seasonally, no increase in vandalism had been experienced.

Cllr Julian Brazil said: 'This is a totally backward step. The council is purely looking at their own savings and not wider effects.

'Businesses will suffer, tourism will suffer because of the number of walkers who visit the area and use the facilities all year round.'

Cllr Brazil explained that the rural facilities such as East Portlemouth and East Prawle were his main concern as, while they may be out of the way, they are essential for those walking the coastal paths and enjoying the countryside.

Parish clerk Sall Winstanley said: 'I have consulted some members of the parish council and their view is that to close the loos would represent a serious health hazard year round.

'East Portlemouth is in an AONB, is the beach for Salcombe as it were, and even out of the summer season is well used for walking.

'Some home owners have found it necessary to put up notices pointing out that pathways are not public loos even with the public loos being open. The loss of the loos, even for part of the year, would have a very detrimental, not to say very undesirable, effect on what is an extremely beautiful environment.

'Members feel that it is essential that the loos are kept open year round.'

A spokesperson for the district council said: 'There was no specific discussion by the executive about the public toilets option at their meeting on December 6.

'The scrutiny panels will discuss the report at their meeting on January 10, and make recommendations back to the executive.

'Executive will discuss it again at their meeting of January 24, and recommend the budget to council on February 14.'