Boscastle public toilets: Community consultation results

Boscastle Community Interest Company (CIC) conducted a public consultation to determine the future of the public toilets following Cornwall Council’s removal of the funding levy. The consultation sought input from residents, business owners, and visitors to explore potential solutions.


Total response were 235


  • Visitors: 119
  • Residents: 72
  • Business owners: 22
  • Other (neighbouring parishes, second homeowners, etc.): 22


Respondents were asked to select their preferred option for maintaining the public toilets. The results were as follows:


  • Increase toilet entry charge & parish council tax (precept): 221 votes (94.0%)
  • Temporarily close toilets while funding is explored: 8 votes (3.4%)
  • Sell community assets (e.g., minibus) to fund costs: 6 votes (2.6%)
  • Close toilets permanently: 0 votes (0.0%)


Respondents were invited to provide further ideas for funding and managing the public toilets. The most common themes were:


  • Business contributions (24 mentions): Strongest theme—many suggested that local businesses, who benefit from tourism, should contribute.
  • Parking revenue (14 mentions): Calls for reinstating a levy on car park charges or redirecting parking revenue to support the toilets.
  • Cornwall Council responsibility (8 mentions): Some believe Cornwall Council should reinstate funding as they created the issue by removing the levy.
  • Donations & grants (8 mentions): Some support for seeking external funding, though concerns over sustainability.
  • Precept increase (5 mentions): Limited support for raising local council tax.
  • Tourism-linked funding (3 mentions): Ideas included a voluntary tourist charge or tourism tax model.
  • Sponsorship & advertising (4 mentions): Selling advertising space or seeking sponsorship from businesses.
  • Crowdfunding & event fundraising (1 mention): Few respondents saw this as a sustainable option.


Key takeaways from the consultation:

  • Strongest support: Business contributions and reinstating a car park levy.
  • Least popular ideas: Crowdfunding, voluntary donations, and fundraising events.
  • Community sentiment: Respondents expect local businesses, parking revenue, or Cornwall Council to play a role in securing long-term funding, rather than solely relying on increased taxation or public donations.


The results of this consultation will be discussed at the Annual Parish Meeting of Forrabury and Minster Parish Council on Thursday 27th March 2025 at 7pm in the village hall. The CIC will use these findings to inform its decision-making and next steps in negotiations with key stakeholders.

  • What was the consultation about?

    The CIC received a final response regarding the future of Boscastle’s public toilets.


    - No funding support – Cornwall Council has confirmed that no financial provision is available for the toilets.

    - No change to car park charges – The transport department will not reinstate the levy on parking or consider localised control of the car park at this time.

    - No update on further arrangements – No progress from Cornwall Council expected before the pre-election period.


    Given this response, Boscastle CIC launched a public consultation to determine the next steps for the community. The online consultation will ran until 12th March 2025, allowing residents, businesses, and stakeholders to have their say on how the toilets should be funded or managed moving forward.

  • How have the toilets been funded up until now?

    🟢 The toilets cost between £19,000 and £22,000 per year, depending on usage and operating costs.

    🟢 The CIC received a £12,000 levy from Cornwall Council, funded by an increase in car park charges.

    🟢 Cornwall Council removed the levy during the last Parking Order review, meaning the CIC lost this funding source.

    🟢 The remaining funds have come from the 20p door entry system, which covers roughly 1/3 of the running costs.

  • Why can’t Cornwall Council continue funding the toilets?

    Cornwall Council does not have a statutory obligation to provide public toilets and has removed most of its funding for their upkeep. The £12,000 levy that previously supported the Boscastle toilets was removed when parking charges were simplified across Cornwall. Despite efforts to reinstate the levy, Cornwall Council has confirmed they will not reconsider this.

  • What are the options for keeping the toilets open?

    The community will decide the best way forward through this consultation. The key options include:

    💰 Increasing the entry charge & parish council tax (precept) – Raising the door charge and increasing the local precept to cover costs.

    🚐 Selling community assets (e.g., the minibus) – Selling the CIC’s assets to fund toilet provision for a limited time.

    ❌ Permanent closure – Returning the toilets to Cornwall Council, where they may be sold or repurposed.

    ⏳ Temporary closure – Closing the toilets while further solutions are explored, though there is a risk Cornwall Council may sell the site.

  • What happens if no solution is found?

    If no viable funding model is agreed upon:

    🚧 The CIC may return the toilets to Cornwall Council, which has indicated it may sell the site for redevelopment.

    ❌ This would mean the loss of public toilet facilities in Boscastle permanently.

    ⏳ A temporary closure could be an option while alternative solutions are explored, but this comes with the risk that Cornwall Council could still decide to sell the site.

  • Is there only the online consultation?

    The Annual Parish Meeting has the topic for discussion and can serve as an open meeting for those who wish to represent their views in person.


    📅 Annual Parish Meeting – 27th March 2025, 7pm, Village Hall