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150 years ago public lavatories were seen by councils as key to good public health - as well as a chance to promote leading edge architecture. They became a symbol of civic pride as well as the advances of sanitation. But in recent years there has been a significant fall in both the level of provision and public satisfaction.

Today's Strategic Guide is the government's response to that. It is the first of its kind - and it is aimed at encouraging local councils to look at a range of things they can now do to provide better access and better quality toilets across the country.

The Guide will say that being able to use clean and accessible public loos are important to everyone - but it is critically important to particular groups such as disabled or older people and families with young children. And the whole community suffers - not least because poor quality provision in our towns and city centres contributes to anti-social behaviour through 'street fouling' and poor hygiene standards.

Communities Minister Baroness Andrews will encourage councils to consider a range of innovative ideas and actions to boost the availability, and quality of, public toilets. This will include:

• the new 'SatLav' schemes. A new mobile text scheme which sends immediate information on your nearest toilet and opening times. Successfully pioneered in Westminster, for 25p people can find their nearest public toilet on their mobile phone by text
• community Toilet Schemes where local shops and businesses open up public access to their toilets and are paid by the council
• councils levering in more money from developers for public toilet provision through the planning system
• removing an inconsistency in the law which may help councils to raise additional money to enhance toilet provision. People already pay to use loos in train stations and local facilities owned by councils but privately run. Councils will soon be given the discretion to charge for toilets and urinals that they own and run
• planning more strategically to provide more and better loos

The Guide makes clear that public conveniences owned and run by local councils should remain at the heart of provision. By using existing and new powers, councils can rethink their whole approach to public toilet access and ensuring good quality provision. At the same time it will highlight the potential of freeing up greater access to existing provision in local shops and businesses through community toilet schemes.

Communities Minister Baroness Andrews said: "Some people may find the whole idea of a strategic guide on public toilets funny. But let's remember that there are serious issues too, issues that make public access to toilets a matter of vital importance to many people.

Further information

• Public Access to Better Quality Toilets: A Strategic Guide Opens new window