Once again we report this week how Oxford City Council is wrestling with the future of its public lavatories. The issue has raised its head every two or three years for at least the last two decades.

Toilets are threatened with closure and improved toilets with charges are proposed. In the past, we have been promised continental super loos on the streets, but little has changed.

We do not believe that people begrudge paying a small fee for going to the toilet. What is most important to them is that a toilet is there, it is clean and properly maintained, and free of vandalism and undesirable elements.

Good facilities in shopping centres are most important, but we appreciate decent facilities in areas where we gather for our leisure.

It is the latter that are most likely to suffer under plans for closures.

We would urge the city council to investigate how it can keep as many toilets open as possible, even if that does mean introducing charges.

Before closing any facilities, it should look at innovative solutions. Why not hand some over to enterprising individuals who would look after them in return for the right to charge for the facility? This type of model is common on the Continent and clearly works there.

Above all, the city council really does need to grasp this issue once and for all. Good, modern, accessible toilets are a prerequisite for any city centre. More modest but clean and well-run toilets are equally desirable in strategic locations across the city.