OXFORD has many things to feel proud about on the world stage. Oxford University, of course. Our wonderful spires and architecture. The ground-breaking medical research. And the Mini.

But a world class public toilet? Yes, that is what the council is aspiring to.

Its report, written by one Paul Dunsdon of City Works, asked councillors to shut a load of public toilets and agree the redevelopment of Gloucester Green toilets “to a standard which reflects Oxford’s status as a world-class city”.

Is that something you are going boast about to tourists when they stop you in the High: ‘No, you don’t want to waste your time at the Ashmolean. Pop your head into our world class facilities in Gloucester Green. Once you’ve gone in Oxford you’ll just want to keep on coming back.’ It is, frankly, a nonsense of language, doing nothing but sugarcoating the bitter pill of slashing the budget and closing facilities.

The city says it needs to save £50,000 a year yet is planning to create this envy of the world’s public conveniences at a grand cost of £300,000.

However the council tries to justify those figures, there is an uncertain odour about this.

People don’t want or need a world leading toilet. Something clean and secure but cheaper will do, particularly if it means others elsewhere in the city are not suffering a case of toilet envy.