And finally… free to pee 

A dispute over ownership of public toilets in Malton between North Yorkshire Council and the town’s parish council has led to both sides being flush with anger.

North Yorkshire Council was preparing to hand over management of Malton’s public toilets to the town council, in what had been dubbed ‘double devolution’.

It would have been the first transfer of ownership from NYC to a smaller council since the unitary authority was launched in 2023.

However, the proposed introduction by Malton council of a 40p charge to use the facilities has led to political chaos in the market town.

Cllr Keane Duncan, representative of neighbouring town Norton at NYC, took up the mantle and launched a ‘free to pee’ campaign that led to the town council abandoning its plans of ownership and leaving it in the NYC’s hands.

In a remarkably calm statement, Cllr Duncan said: “The U-turn by the town council is a fantastic result and a clear demonstration of what people power can achieve…

“Malton was being singled out unfairly, and residents rightly saw this as unjust. My priority now is to push for much-needed investment from North Yorkshire Council to improve our toilets.

“This was the first asset North Yorkshire Council agreed to devolve under its localism drive – and it has ended in chaos.

“The secrecy, public backlash, and ultimate U-turn [or should that be, U-bend?] have left the double devolution in a state of disarray…

“Lessons can be learned to ensure transparency, accountability, and genuine community involvement.”

Responding, Mayor of Malton, Cllr Lindsay Burr said: “Cllr Duncan’s headline grabbing news is bizarre, as no deal has ever been signed. Malton Town Council defiantly refutes the words U-turn saying, there is nothing to U-turn on.

“Some facts must be explained clearly again. North Yorkshire Council own both Malton and Norton toilets and always have done.

“All three toilets are a disgrace.”