A POTENTIAL council tax precept rise to pay for toilets in Royston has been slammed by a pensioner fighting for the town’s facilities.

Last week Royston Town Council approved a hike to pay for The Cross toilets, deemed surplus to requirements by North Herts District Council, veteran campaigner Terry Hutt has been left unimpressed.

“People are saying they are paying their council tax, and that paying for toilets is already included in their council tax,” he said.

“Now they are asking them to pay a bit more to keep the toilets open.

“They are asking for money to keep the toilets open but it seems to me that the money is going down the drain.”

Mr Hutt also claimed that ongoing problems with toilets in Fish Hill – which are closed after being vandalised last month – were due to technical trouble.

To keep The Cross toilets open it is expected Band D properties will have to pay an extra 3p a week.

An increase of 4p was already due to be implemented this year, regardless of the proposed toilet provision.

The move was voted through unanimously and it is estimated the cost of running the toilets will set the town council back �8,000 per annum for three years as the district has offered the council a discount.

But the increase hinges on the findings of a public consultation, which will ultimately decide if it is taken up.