COUNCIL leaders have been accused of ‘playing dirty’ over plans to close public toilets.

Holme Valley South councillor Nigel Patrick has criticised the council’s Labour cabinet over its plans to close 11 public toilets in Kirklees.

In December, the cabinet voted unanimously to close conveniences at New Mill, Holme, Mirfield, Marsh, Milnsbridge, Slaithwaite, Marsden, Honley, Batley, Birstall and Heckmondwike for good on March 31.

Villagers have been given the opportunity to manage the toilets themselves and Holme Valley Parish Council has expressed interest in managing the toilets at New Mill.

But Clr Patrick, who is chairman of Kirklees Council’s Scrutiny Committee, said it has been impossible to make progress on adopting the lavatories.

The Conservative councillor said: “I have been chasing officers for three years now to get them to meet with and discuss terms with these interested parties, but it is like knitting fog.

“I have come to the conclusion that they either don’t have the know-how to make it happen, or they are happy to stand by and let the toilets close.

“I get the impression that, like glass recycling, there is a hidden agenda to close the toilets regardless.

“The Labour cabinet has now made a decision to lock the toilets at the end of this month, just in time for the Easter holidays when we can expect an influx of walkers to the area.

“These toilets can be saved, but Labour are playing dirty.”

Kirklees Council leader Mehboob Khan said the council would keep ownership of the toilet buildings for 12 months to give villagers a chance to devise plans to manage their local loos.

Clr Khan added Government budget cuts to councils had forced Kirklees to close its public toilets.

The Greenhead Labour councillor said: “The cuts that we’ve had are extremely unfair.

“It’s beyond belief that council officers have not responded to the chair of the scrutiny committee.

“The council won’t be disposing of the buildings for the next 12 months which gives local community groups a chance to come forward with their plans to reopen these facilities.”