LOVE Ledbury representative Cllr Liz Harvey was subjected to some tough questioning and resistance when she asked Ledbury Town Council for funding this year, to help keep Bye Street toilets open.

The Love Ledbury community group took on Bye Street loos from Herefordshire Council in 2014, but has asked the town council to take on the toilets in the next financial year, which could cost the council tax payer around £10,000 a year, or even more.

However, speaking at last week's full town council meeting in the Community Hall, Cllr Harvey said: "I'm disappointed that there is no offer of financial support in the meantime, to assist Love Ledbury with the running cost of the loos in this financial year.

"I would like to to request that the council considers amending this resolution to provide us with some level of support.

"Love Ledbury would be grateful of any support."

But Cllr Tony Bradford pointed out that a task and finish group was set to research all the options for both Church Lane toilets, currently run by Herefordshire Council, and Bye Street loos, currently run by Love Ledbury; and the work of the task group, of which he is a member, should not be "prejudged".

"The finances will be looked at," he said.

Cllr Bradford said: "I don't want to prejudice anything. Bear in mind, we are looking at a 10 per cent increase in the council tax for next year's precept, according to the figures I've been looking at."

Other councillors were concerned that two years on from its formation, Love Ledbury was still not a registered charity, a fact that Cllr Harvey did not deny.

Cllr Harvey said: "When we set up Love Ledbury, we did not anticipate that we would take on the public loos; - in taking on the loos it took our attention away from the paperwork; I don't deny it."

Deputy mayor, Elaine Fieldhouse said in response: "It seems curious you don't want to protect yourselves and get it sorted. Why didn't you get it sorted out before you started out?"

Cllr Harvey, in reply said Love Ledbury could be registered for charitable status by June 14, this week.

Town councillors voted to let the task group look into the situation of Ledbury's toilets with a view "to an asset transfer in the next financial year".

Meanwhile, "responsibility for the Bye Street toilets should remain with Love Ledbury".