People in Tonbridge could be asked to pay more in council tax to cover the cost of public loos, under plans proposed by Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council (TMBC).

The local authority has launched a consultation on how it pays for Christmas lights across the borough and three public loos in Tonbridge.

While most services provided by the council are funded on a borough-wide basis through the council tax paid by residents, in some areas an additional sum is added to bills to pay for particular services which largely benefit those areas.

These adjustments, known as ‘special expenses’, are currently used to fund things like local parks, playgrounds and allotments.

The council now proposes to add public toilets in Tonbridge and Christmas lights to the list of services which are funded locally via special expenses.

The council says that the combined estimated impact on council tax bills of these increases and reductions would mean that, except for Tonbridge and West Malling, the proposals would result in a slight reduction in council tax bills.

Residents of Tonbridge and West Malling would see a small rise in their council tax bills, as they mainly benefit from the additional services provided.

Tonbridge residents in a band D property would pay an additional £5.51 in council tax a year, whereas those in West Malling would pay an additional £2.20.

All other areas would see a decrease ranging from £1.29 to £2.38.

The council says that toilets in it's country parks and Tonbridge Cemetery would continue to be paid by all residents.

There was upset after four public loos were closed across the borough in a cost-cutting exercise in April this year.

Business owners in Malling said they lost business and even saw people urinating in the streets.

TMBC offered to transfer the responsibility of running them to the parish and town councils, which said it would be too expensive and mean having to raise taxes.

Loos were consequently shut in Vicarage Close in Aylesford, Court Lane in Hadlow, Rocfort Road car park in Snodland and King Street, West Malling.

Only East Malling and Larkfield parish councils agreed to take on the running of their loos.

Under the proposals for Christmas lights, residents in areas where the council contributes towards the festive lighting would meet the cost.

Elsewhere, Christmas lights are paid for by a combination of retailers, local groups or charities and parish councils.

Cllr Martin Coffin, TMBC’s cabinet member for finance, innovation and property, said: “We want to make sure that charging for additional services which benefit some parts of the borough more than others is as fair as possible. These changes would mean bills are more closely aligned to the provision of public toilets and Christmas lights where they are provided.

"We hope as many people as possible take the opportunity to share their views. It’s also worth emphasising that the consultation is about how these services are funded and not whether they are provided.”

Residents can take part in the consultation by clicking here.

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