Abergavenny Town Council is to increase its contribution to the cost of providing public toilets in Abergavenny for the coming year to ensure that they are kept open.

Without a further contribution from the Town Council Monmouthshire County Council gave notice that they would have to close all but one of the toilets due to the continuing budget constraints.

The town council recognised the importance of suitable toilet facilities for the public in the town both for local people and for visitors, so an additional £45,000 has been allocated for the coming year, making a total of £58,000. In addition the council will be asking for a Service Level Agreement with the Monmouthshire County Council to ensure that good standards are maintained.

To ensure that town centre street sweeping is maintained the town souncil will also contribute some £37,500 for that service, again subject to a formal agreement as to frequency and standards of sweeping.

"This is necessary to protect the appearance of our town" said Mayor, Councillor Maureen Powell. "We are aware that the prosperity of the town relies on visitors as well as local people and we need to ensure that it remains an attractive place to visit".