THE people of Tenbury could be stopped from spending a penny in years to come unless a decision to sell off the toilets building in Market Street is put on hold.

District councillor Phil Grove, who is also Tenbury's mayor, and fellow district councillors are behind a proposal that they plan to put to the full Malvern Hills District Council on Tuesday.

They want any sell-off of the toilets to be delayed until after the local elections in May, with a view to seeing them re-opened. Prospective Conservative district councillors have already made a pre-election pledge that toilets in Tenbury, Malvern and Upton-upon-Severn will be saved.

Now, the proposal has been put asking that decisions to sell, let or lease or otherwise dispose of the council's interest in the toilet building, now closed, and others in Malvern and Upton be rescinded.

It is also proposed the decision be reviewed by the district council in May. Councillor Grove said: "We are aiming to prevent toilet buildings being sold in Tenbury, Malvern and Upton. Let the people of Tenbury decide.

"The post-May town council can then consider whether they want to take the toilets on or not. As a district councillor, I have always believed the toilets are a district council responsibility."

The district council wants, with the agreement of Tenbury Town Council, for the public conveniences to be transferred freehold to the town council at nil consideration and without conditions relating to future use.

Prior to transfer, the district council would undertake remedial works to rebuild a drainage inspection chamber, bring the drainage system into good and operable order and upgrade the electrical system.

The district council would provide a capital grant of £9,000 to the town council to assist them in refurbishing the fabric and interior of the building.