LEDBURY enters a new tourist season with both sets of public toilets ready, open and waiting, following the re-opening of the long-closed Bye Street loos, in time for Easter.

The Bye Street block, which had been closed for best part of 18 months, is now open from 9am to 5pm, seven days a week, courtesy of the Love Ledbury community charity, which has the licence from Herefordshire Council to operate the toilets.

But debate is still raging as to who should foot the bill for running costs, of around £10,000 per annum, in the long term.

Cllr Liz Harvey, interim chairman of Love Ledbury, in an email sent to fellow town councillors, suggested the loos could continue to be run by Love Ledbury, with funding from the town council.

She said: "As planned, the pay-to-use cubicles at the Bye St loos were opened again on Good Friday at the formal start of the visitor season for the town. Access to the facilities remains charged at 20p."

But Cllr Harvey added: "We are puzzled and disappointed that councillors continue to talk about Love Ledbury and the operating status of the loos, rather than to talk to us.

"Full information on the loos' operating costs have been provided to the council in October 2015. Just to confirm – Love Ledbury has always been of the view that the operation of the Bye St loos should be funded by the town council. Love Ledbury’s offer remains open to operate the loos on the council’s behalf, so as to enable the public purse to benefit from the tax and rates waivers available to us as a charity.

"We continue to offer our cooperation and assistance on the matter."

But Cllr Bob Barnes, chairman of the town's finance and general purposes committee said: "The town council does not work with other organisations on a shared financial basis, so why should we do that with Love Ledbury? I don't think that position is possible; it has to be one or the other. If Love Ledbury needs financial support from the town council, they can apply for a grant.

"I welcome the fact that the loos are open. Under the conditions of the licence, they should be open. It is an arrangement between Herefordshire Council and Love Ledbury."

The other toilet block in Ledbury, in Church Lane, is operated by Herefordshire Council.